Moving from San Francisco to Seattle
A climate comparison of two homes: California to Washington. The dates below come from the nearest official weather station to each place.
Climate Match
Your growing season runs 109 days shorter, 356 days becomes 247 days.
San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA
The full comparison
| Measure | From | To | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost-free season | 356 days | 247 days | 109 days shorter |
| Last spring frost | January 7 | March 13 | 65 days later |
| Coldest month | 10C in January | 6C in December | 4C colder |
| Warmest month | 18C in September | 20C in August | 2C hotter |
Moving from San Francisco to Seattle reshapes the home year. The coldest month is 4C colder. Summers get 2C hotter. Your growing season is 109 days shorter. Plan on a new rhythm for the house and garden.
What changes about the house
- Coldest month: it is colder at the destination. Check local heating needs and winterize before the cold season.
- Cooling: hotter peaks make air conditioning or shading more important. Check attic insulation and window sealing so the house does not trap heat.
- Garden: the frost-free season is shorter or the last spring frost is later. Consider transplants, short-season varieties, and cold frames.
Season by season
Spring starts later
Your last spring frost moves from January 7 to March 13, 65 days later. Delay tender planting and spring openings.
Summers run hotter
The warmest month goes from 18C in September to 20C in August. Air conditioning, shading, and cooling-load planning matter more.
Winter measure suggests harsher
Winter coldest month goes from 10C in January to 6C in December. This measure points to a colder season; check local heating and winter-maintenance needs.
Tools for both places
Moving from San Francisco to Seattle, answered
What is the biggest climate change from San Francisco to Seattle?
Your growing season runs 109 days shorter, 356 days becomes 247 days. That is the largest shift in the 30-year climate record.
How are these numbers computed?
From official 30-year climate normals at the nearest station to each place: Oakland Intl Ap 72493 near San Francisco and Seattle Boeing Fld near Seattle. They are planning averages, not forecasts; local microclimates can run a week or two off the station record.
Does the comparison work in reverse?
Yes. Open the comparison tool and swap the two places; the deltas reverse direction but the match score stays the same.
Method and sources
Temperatures and frost dates are from the 30-year climate normals at Oakland Intl Ap 72493 (near San Francisco, CA) and Seattle Boeing Fld (near Seattle, WA). Canadian data is from Environment and Climate Change Canada; United States data is from NOAA NCEI. These are planning averages, not forecasts. See themethodology page for the full calculation.