Seattle Weather Radar
Seattle Live Weather
Seattle Live Weather Radar
Seattle Hourly Weather Forecast
Seattle 7-Day Weather Forecast
Seattle Weather Overview
The seattle weather radar map on this page refreshes every 10 minutes via RainViewer, paired with Open-Meteo hourly forecasts for the Puget Sound region.
Seattle occupies a narrow corridor between Puget Sound and the Cascades in western Washington. An oceanic climate delivers mild, rainy winters and dry summers, with annual precipitation averaging 37.49 inches at Sea-Tac Airport—concentrated October through March. Pacific fronts can intensify quickly through the mountain passes, making seattle weather radar an essential daily reference when systems approach. In winter, when seattle weather radar shows heavy rain over Puget Sound, rivers can reach flood stage within hours.
Windstorms and atmospheric river flooding are Seattle's most serious weather threats. The Hanukkah Eve Windstorm of December 14–15, 2006, gusted to 69 mph at Sea-Tac Airport, cut power to 1.8 million customers, and killed 18 people. The 1962 Columbus Day Storm brought sustained winds above 100 mph across western Washington. Each November through January, atmospheric rivers drop 4–5 inches in 24 hours, flooding the Green, Snoqualmie, and Puyallup valleys. Checking seattle weather radar tracks these bands before NWS WFO SEW issues a watch or warning.
Summer brings additional hazards. On June 28, 2021, a heat dome shattered Seattle's all-time temperature record at 108°F, causing hundreds of excess deaths region-wide. Wildfire smoke from eastern Washington and Oregon regularly degrades air quality July through September. Year-round, the seattle weather radar map and 7-day forecast give the fastest read on conditions across King County—from winter flooding to summer smoke.
Seattle Weather Risks & Safety
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Seattle's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Winter Storm Risk
Winter storms hit Seattle when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Seattle gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.
Wildfire Smoke Risk
Wildfire smoke drifts into Seattle even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over Seattle or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Seattle regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Seattle, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
How to Use Seattle Weather Radar
Check Radar Before Your Morning Commute
Open the seattle weather radar map each morning before driving I-5 or crossing the SR-520 floating bridge. Winter fronts can arrive overnight, and rain bands moving across Puget Sound often reach Seattle with little warning.
Monitor Atmospheric Rivers in Real Time
When NWS WFO SEW issues a Flood Watch for King County, refresh the radar every 10–15 minutes. Atmospheric rivers can stall over the Green River and Snoqualmie River watersheds, intensifying runoff quickly.
Track Windstorm Arrival from the Pacific
Pacific windstorms typically appear on radar as a tight precipitation shield south of the Olympic Peninsula. Watch for rapidly changing patterns across Puget Sound and secure loose items if gusts are forecast above 50 mph.
Watch for Summer Heat and Wildfire Smoke
In summer, use the radar alongside air quality data to assess conditions. During heat dome events—like the June 2021 record of 108°F—or when wildfire smoke from eastern Washington drifts west, conditions can change within hours.
Who Benefits from Seattle Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
I-5 and SR-520 drivers check radar to anticipate rain-related slowdowns and flooding-related road closures.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Discovery Park hikers and Burke-Gilman Trail cyclists rely on radar to dodge Pacific Northwest rain bands.
Event Planners & Families
T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field attendees check radar before game day to prepare for Seattle's unpredictable rain.
Outdoor Workers
Maritime, fishing, and construction workers near Elliott Bay need radar to manage windstorm and flooding risks.