Dec 19, 2025 - News
Seattle's average winter temps are up 1°F since 1970
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Winter is getting warmer nearly nationwide amid climate change — and Seattle is no exception, a recent analysis finds.
Why it matters: Warmer winters can be a bummer for skiers and snowboarders, affect water supplies tied to annual snowmelt, and more.
Driving the news: From 1970 to 2025, average winter temperatures rose by about 1 degree in Seattle, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.
- The analysis is based on NOAA data covering December, January and February of each year.
The big picture: Many of the cities with the most warming over the 55-year period are in places with traditionally cold winters, including Burlington, Vermont (+8.1°F); Milwaukee, Wisconsin (+7.3°F) and Green Bay, Wisconsin (+7°F).
- All told, 98% of the 244 U.S. cities analyzed by Climate Central saw rising winter temperatures.