Say hello to the Big Dark, Seattleites: we’re in the thick of it right now. If Seattle has a true peak of winter gloom, it’s statistically safe to say that it’s the month of January. While daylight slowly begins to return after the winter solstice in December, this month brings the city’s most persistent stretch of gray skies, prolonging the mental weight of winter well past the holidays.
Read on for all the details.
By several measures, January is Seattle’s darkest month—particularly when it comes to cloud cover. Overcast or mostly cloudy conditions dominate about 71% of the time in January, the highest share of any month, according to WeatherSpark. The city also sees only about 70 hours of sunshine in January, based on Weather and Climate data. Although December has the shortest days, January pairs lingering low light with the cloudiest skies of the year.
That pattern looks set to continue this week, as two storm systems are forecast to move through the Seattle area. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, the storms are expected to bring periods of lowland rain, gusty winds, heavy snow in the mountains and another dose of dreary weather.
As for snow in Seattle this winter, none is currently in the forecast, though that could change later in the month. Seattle’s typical snowy season lasts about 1.3 months, running from roughly December 12 through January 20, when a rolling 31-day period averages at least one inch of snowfall. January is usually the snowiest month, with an average of about 1.2 inches.
Looking for ways to escape the gloom of January (or at least lessen its impacts on your mood)? Longtime Seattleites recommend tactics such as sun lamps, Vitamin D supplements, time outdoors, and getaways to sunnier locations when possible. Also, here are some helpful guides and ideas for things to do in Seattle this January:
- Seattle’s Newest Climbing Gym Includes Wood-Fired Sauna Access, Yoga, And Pole Classes
- This Waterfront Sauna In West Seattle Lets You Warm Up While Watching The Sunset Over Puget Sound
- 15 Seattle Museums And Gardens Offering Free Admission Days Every Month
- This Winter’s Free Event Series At Seattle Art Museum Is Returning To Restore Your Body And MInd
- Seattle’s Coffee And Crafting Club Is A Great Way To Meet New Friends This Month
- This Popular Seattle Museum Now Has Evening Hours So You Can Unwind With Art After Work