Seattle, WA is waking up under a blanket of clouds today, but skies should break for a pleasant partly sunny afternoon with a high near 74°F — comfortable weather that’s perfect for finally getting outside after a cloudy start. If you’re planning anything outdoors, hold off until after lunch when the sun has time to work through the marine layer.
Today’s Setup
According to the National Weather Service Seattle office, a weak front that brought rain to the Northwest Interior is dissipating this morning, leaving cloudy skies behind with lingering showers mainly over the North Cascades and foothills. Around Puget Sound, forecasters note there’s “no upper level ridging to provide some subsidence,” so we’re relying on the strong near-solstice sun to burn through the low clouds. Expect that breakthrough by early-to-mid afternoon, with just an 8% chance of any lingering drizzle.
Best Window To Be Outside
The sweet spot today runs roughly 1 PM to 6 PM PT, once the marine layer thins and partly sunny skies take over with a light southwest wind around 5 mph. That’s ideal timing for a walk around Green Lake or an afternoon on the water — if you’re headed to Lake Washington or Lake Union, an Intex floating lounge with a built-in cooler is a nice way to make the most of the sun before clouds build back in tonight.
Mariners, Storm, and Weekend Games
Baseball fans have plenty to watch: the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at T-Mobile Park, with more matchups Saturday (Independence Day) and Sunday. Evening temperatures ease into the upper 50s with light wind, so a layer for later innings isn’t a bad call. Gear up with a Seattle Mariners jersey or Seattle Mariners fitted cap, and if you’re tailgating outside the stadium, a hard cooler 52 quart keeps drinks and food cold through extra innings. Can’t make it in person? Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub. The Seattle Storm also host Portland Fire at Climate Pledge Arena on Independence Day — a great indoor option if you’d rather dodge the evening marine layer. Music fans should mark the calendar for the CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso Free Spirits World Tour stop at the Paramount Theatre on July 7 — cool Seattle evenings make a CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso hoodie worth grabbing before the show.
What To Wear Or Bring
Layer up: mornings and evenings are running in the mid-50s, while afternoons top out in the low-to-mid 70s. A light jacket for the ballpark or a backyard Fourth of July gathering is worth packing, and if you’re setting up an outdoor celebration, now’s a good time to grab 4th of July decorations while the weather cooperates.
Dinner Idea Tonight
With a mild evening ahead, a simple pasta or stir-fry dinner fits the bill — quick to make and good whether you’re eating on the porch or ducking inside once clouds roll back in. A few sprigs from a live herb plant collection can brighten up either dish. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
The same weak upper-level trough lingers through Saturday, so expect a similar pattern for Independence Day: morning clouds, overnight lows near 55–57°F, and a high near 73°F with partial afternoon sun. The National Weather Service says a building ridge over the weekend should start clearing things out heading into early next week, with more sustained sunshine likely by Sunday and Monday. Check out more outdoor gear deals before your next lake day.
