Which months are most likely to provide some sunshine for visitors to Seattle? I'll take it anytime, but want to bring a rain-hating mother with me.

The weather bureau says that the last week of July is the least likely week to have rain. If you cannot come at that precise time I suggest some time after July 17 and before August 31. There is no guarantee, (and, on the other hand I have seen September with only one day of rain) but you will increase your chances if you come in late July.

Nina:
Jorge is right. July and August definitely (and statistically) have the least rainfall, though you have to remember that Seattleites (and their Tv weather forecaster) call it a "drought" when no measurable precipitaion falls for a week. It can get hot during July and August (highs in the 90s and even above 100), but that happens less commonly.
There usually is a wet and rather windy storm around the Labor Day weekend, but then the weather turns nice again until about the midddle of October. September is probably the best month for visiting, since the days tend to be sunny and warm, but not hot. It's also the best time for canoeing or sea kayaking (as I can vouch from experience).
By the way, nearby places--Whidbey and Camano Islands, and the San Juans get a lot less rain in summer (and stay pleasantly cooler) than Seattle.

My Seattle Sun is ten days or so in Hawaii in Jan, then a couple weeks in Puerto Vallarta in April, and another Hawaii trip in October...ooops wait, I got carried away here
Yep, July and Aug. are the dry and hot months, and if you do choose to come then, don't be surprised to hear many Seattleites praying for just a LITTLE rain ('cause we're not used to watering our lawns, and have forgotten how.) Have a great trip!

One of these posts is pulling your leg about the temperature in Seattle. While you may be lucky enough to see sun, hot it is not. The average MAXIMUM temperature in July and August is 74F (and the average low is 56F). Over the last 92 years the average number of days in which the temp. is 90F or more in July is one; in August it is none. (Take a look at weatherbase.com)

Dear Terry:
I'm not sure where your data base gets its numbers, but here are the "official" record highs for the month of July, by day and year. I know the figures are correct because I have sweltered through many of those summers (and have watched my garden plants wilt)!


SEATTLE
July -- Daily Record Temperatures (F)

RECORD HIGHS
Day High Year
7/01 87 1995
7/02 92 1968
7/03 90 1972
7/04 91 1972
7/05 91 1958
7/06 94 1960
7/07 89 1945
7/08 87 1985
7/09 91 1985
7/10 90 1945
7/11 95 1951
7/12 97 1961
7/13 93 1961
7/14 91 1996
7/15 92 1958
7/16 98 1979
7/17 99 1979
7/18 93 1995
7/19 95 1988
7/20 100 1994
7/21 94 1994
7/22 95 1978
7/23 99 1991
7/24 91 1965
7/25 94 1988
7/26 92 1971
7/27 95 1958
7/28 97 1958
7/29 95 1971
7/30 94 1965
7/31 93 1965

Dear Nina:
I should also have mentioned that August in Seattle is not exactly cold either, with many days over 90 degrees F (see stats below).
I'm sorry I keep going on about this, but I'm getting tired of having people who don't know any better describe my home city and state as a dripping-wet Siberian ice swamp!

Seattle Daily Record Temperatures (F)
August
Day Record
Day High Year
8/01 92 1949
8/03 90 1988
8/04 95 1993
8/06 91 1972
8/07 95 1972
8/08 98 1960
8/09 99 1981
8/10 98 1981
8/11 95 1977
8/12 96 1977
8/13 91 1992
8/15 92 1967
8/16 98 1967
8/17 96 1977
8/23 91 1988
8/26 91 1986
8/28 95 1967
8/29 91 1974
8/31 92 1987

I want to clarify the term "hot" too - it's all relative. "hot" up here is 75 or so and higher. Over 80 is a heat wave for us! And over 90 is verrry unusual.

C'mon now! Seattle DOES have sun. I find that August and September are ALWAYS nice. Labor day weekend always seems to be so hot. The weather however is very unreliable. It is hot and sunny one day, the next its pouring or foggy. That's what is horrible about Seattle, not that it may rain a lot. I have heard that New York City has more rain than here...hmmmm....