Seattle on track for one of its driest Octobers on record
Oct 19, 2026, 6:31 AM
Autumn foliage surrounds a Washington roadway. (Photo courtesy of Envato)
(Photo courtesy of Envato)
October is headed toward one of Seattle’s driest months on record in more than 130 years.
The driest October on record was back in 1895, when records were kept in downtown Seattle. Only 0.02 inches of rain fell that month. The next driest month was 0.31 inches in 1987, measured at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
To round out the top five driest Octobers, 2002 had just 0.67 inches, 1936 received only 0.88 inches (downtown), and 1978 finished the month with just under an inch of rain at 0.98 inches.
So far this month at SEA, only 0.13 inches has fallen, including this past Saturday morning’s light rain, which measured only 0.02 inches. The rainfall deficit this month is now approaching 2 inches, and for the year, now over three and a half inches.
With less than half the month to go, longer-range weather forecast charts show only one significant weather system on tap, arriving this coming weekend. After that, longer-range guidance suggests drier weather will likely finish the month.
Rainfall from this weekend’s weather system could push the month’s amount past the dry 1987 total. How much is expected to fall will be clearer as the weekend approaches.
In the meantime, more fall sunshine is expected at times through much of the rest of the month. Temperatures, though, will tend to be cooler. The latest two-week weather outlook through the end of the month shows good odds of cooler-than-average temperatures.
On nights with fewer clouds, low temperatures will dip into the 30s and 40s. Usually cooler locations like the South Sound and Arlington will likely drop near or below freezing, and frost is possible. Any plantings in those colder places will need protection or to be moved indoors.
Average high temperatures at SEA have cooled into the upper 50s. Forecast high temperatures this week are expected to hover around average.
Nights are also getting longer. Seattle’s last 6 p.m. sunset will be on Monday, Oct. 26.
Yet many days left in the month are expected to be dry, with some fall sunshine. Before the month ends, though, the question will be how much more rain falls and how October will rank among the driest on record.
Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.
