Seasons in the Pacific Northwest: When & Where to Elope
Spring
(Late March-June)
Spring weather: what to expect
With spring come warm days, chilly nights, and a high chance of rain and unpredictable moody weather. On average, it rains ~12-16 days a month in the spring months around here, so make sure to pack your rainboots. At low-mid elevations, expect temperatures in the low 40s to high 50s. At higher elevations, expect temps in the low 30s to high 40s during the day, and colder as the sun goes down.
Many low- to mid-elevation locations are accessible in the springtime. High elevation trails and roads may be free of snow as early as mid-June, though some won’t lose their snow until later in summer, so watch the weather, check the road conditions, and read trail reports before your adventure. Be mindful of rain and cold as well, and pack accordingly.
Spring is best for…
Waterfalls, rivers, & lakes — highest flows for rivers & waterfalls from glacial melt occur in the spring!
Forests — spring is the best time for the most lush, green flora and mossy rainforests!
Beaches
Low-to-mid-elevation lakes
Whale watching tours
Things to consider while planning a spring elopement
CROWDS: Depending on the spot, expect some crowds.
ROAD CLOSURES: While weather might be in your favor, it’s always good to check the road conditions in case of road maintenance or an unforeseen closure.
LONG DAYS: The days are long here in the spring, especially around the solstice! As you’re planning your elopement day timeline, make sure to account for late sunsets (as late as 9:00pm in some locations) and early sunrises (as early as 5:00am in some locations).
Best sp0ts for a spring elopement
Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park
Beaches of Olympic National Park
Longmire area of Mount Rainier National Park
Waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge
Snoqualmie Pass area
San Juan Islands
Check out these spring elopements:
Summer
(July to mid-September)
Summer weather: what to expect
Summer is your best chance for a sunny, clear day here in the Pacific Northwest. On average, it rains ~5-7 days a month in the Pacific Northwest in the summer months, with July and August being the lowest. At low-mid elevations, expect temperatures in the 60s-80s. At higher elevations, expect temps in the mid-60s to mid-70s during the day.
Another great pro for summer: everything’s open! Trails and roads that might close during the colder snowier months usually open back up around mid-July in the Cascade region, or slightly earlier over on the Olympic peninsula. Even the highest elevation trails are usually clear of snow, though some of highest spots may still have snowpacks year round.
Summer is best for…
Mountain meadows with wildflowers in full bloom
High alpine locations, mountains & glacial lakes
Sunrise hikes (layer up!)
Boating, backpacking, camping, other outdoor activities
Stargazing—best time of year for clear sky chances!
Best time to visit and make a multi-destination honeymoon throughout the entire PNW!
Things to consider while planning a summer elopement
CROWDS: Summer is by far the busiest time of year, everyone's out, trails and parking lots can be crowded (especially on weekends!) I would DEFINITELY recommend eloping on a WEEKDAY. Also consider eloping at sunrise to escape some of the midday crowds, and/or choose a spot that’s less popular.
HOT DAYS: Days can be hot—elope during sunrise or sunset to escape the summer heat!
COLD NIGHTS: Layer up! It may be warm mid-day, but around dawn and dusk, it can still get chilly, especially at higher elevations.
RAIN & WEATHER ARE STILL A THING: While summer is typically more sunny here in the PNW, inclement weather and rain are still something to be mindful of, especially at high elevations. Let me tell you about the time I hiked through an unexpected snowstorm in late August.
WILDFIRE: Summer is fire season here, so there is a higher chance you might deal with wildfire, smoke, and/or fire bans. Always make sure you have a backup plan and location in place.
ROAD CLOSURES: While weather might be in your favor, it’s always good to check the road conditions in case of road maintenance or an unforeseen closure. Have a backup plan and location in mind.
LONG DAYS: The days are long here, especially in early summer around the solstice! As you’re planning your elopement day timeline, make sure to account for late late sunsets (as late as 9:20pm in some locations) and early sunrises (as early as 4:50am in some locations).
Best spots for a Summer elopement
Get your pick of the litter! In summer, even the highest elevation locations become accessible and free of snow.
Artist Point at Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
North Cascades National Park
Paradise or Sunrise areas of Mount Rainier National Park
Hurricane Ridge area or really anywhere in Olympic National Park (lakes, rainforests, beaches, waterfalls, you name it!)
Snoqualmie Pass & Alpine Lakes Wilderness
San Juan Islands
A fire lookout
Check out these summer elopements:
Autumn
(late September to November)
Fall weather: what to expect
Autumn offers fair weather with a higher chance of rain and moody weather. On average, it rains ~10-18 days a month in the Pacific Northwest, so make sure to pack your rainboots. At low-mid elevations, expect temperatures in the 40s-60s. At higher elevations, expect temps in the high 30s to high 50s during the day, and colder as the sun goes down.
Especially in early autumn, most locations area still open and accessible! High elevation trails and roads might start getting snow and closing in mid to late October, or a little later at lower elevations. Many low- to mid-elevation locations are accessible year round. Be mindful of rain and early season snowfall, and pack accordingly.
Autumn is best for…
People who hate the heat and crowds of summer! Eloping in autumn means cooler weather, fewer crowds, quieter trails that are usually super crowded in the summer months
People who are drawn to weird, moody weather—fog, rain, clouds… the lovely moody weather of the Pacific Northwest!
Gorgeous autumn colors: alpine meadows, golden yellow larch trees (Larch Madness!), and deciduous areas
Sunset elopements, or cozy evenings around a fire
Downsides & things to consider
CROWDS: School starts back up and folks get back to work, but fall is still busy on the trails, especially before end of October.
COLD NIGHTS: Layer up! It may be warm mid-day, but around dawn and dusk, it can still get chilly, especially at higher elevations.
WILDFIRE: Autumn is still fire season here, so there is a chance you might deal with wildfire, smoke, and/or fire bans. Always make sure you have a backup plan and location in place.
ROAD CLOSURES: Always check the road conditions before you go out, in case of inclement weather, road maintenance, or another unforeseen closure. Have a backup plan and location in mind.
Best spots for aN Autumn elopement
North Cascades
Olympic peninsula
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (for larch madness!)
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
San Juan Islands
Check out these fall elopements:
Winter
(December to mid-March)
Winter weather: what to expect
With winter comes cold and a higher chance of rain and foggy/moody weather. On average, it rains ~17-18 days a month in the winter months, so make sure to pack your rainboots—or your snowshoes if you’re at higher elevations. At low-mid elevations, expect temperatures in the high 30s-40s. At higher elevations, expect temps in the low 30s to mid 40s during the day, and colder as the sun goes down.
Many trails and roads, especially higher elevation spots, close down in the winter seasons due to snow. Roads that lead to ski areas (like 542 toward Mt. Baker or I-90 toward Snoqualmie Pass) stay open year round to accommodate the winter sports reports. Some locations at lower elevations might not get any snow at all, like the beaches and places close to Seattle. Be mindful of rain and early season snowfall, and pack accordingly.
Winter is best for…
Avoiding crowds! Elope in the off-season for a more secluded and intimate day.
Weird weather: if you’re drawn to the weird moody/foggy weather of the PNW, your best bet for that is in winter! Consider a moody winter elopement along the coast or in the woods.
Rainforests, lakes, rivers, spots at lower elevations
Ski town elopements: cozy cabin retreats combined with access to mountain areas with winter sports (skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling)
Downsides & things to consider
COLD WEATHER: Pack and layer accordingly! On very cold elopement days, consider interspersing time outside with indoor activities, like time at the cabin—maybe a bubble bath, or a homecooked meal to celebrate.
ROAD CONDITIONS: Always check the road conditions and webcams before you go out, and have a backup plan in place. Also be mindful, some mountain passes and other high-elevation roads require vehicles to carry SNOW CHAINS from November through April, and these can not always be used on rental cars. Plan accordingly!
SHORTER DAYS: As you’re planning your elopement day timeline, make sure to account for early sunsets (as early as 4:00 pm in some locations) and late sunrises (as late as 8:00am in some locations).
Best spots for a Winter elopement:
Olympic peninsula: particularly the Hoh Rainforest, Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault
Anywhere with forests: even in winter the trees, ferns, and mosses are green as ever—Washington is nicknamed the Evergreen state for a reason!
Olympic beaches: anywhere along the coast
Snoqualmie Pass: offers many year-round trails
Leavenworth: a Bavarian-style town in the Cascade mountains—so so cozy in the winter!
Packwood: a cozy town outside of Mount Rainier, along the Cowlitz River—stay in a cozy riverside A-frame cabin!
San Juan Islands: book yourself a luxurious retreat and elope on a wooded island!
Washington ski areas: grab your skis or snowshoes and get out there!
A cozy Airbnb with a view: instead of getting out into the outdoors, bring the views to you and book yourself a stay somewhere cozy and warm. One with a woodstove, a bathtub or hottub, a nice dining table, and a shelf full of board games
Check out these cozy winter elopements:
Climate data & averages
Seattle
Elevation: 174 feet
Monthly average temperatures (source)
January: 37-47
February: 37-50
March: 39-54
April: 42-58
May: 47-65
June: 52-70
July: 56-76
August: 56-76
September: 52-71
October: 46-60
November: 40-51
December: 36-46
Average rainfall by month (source)
January: 18 days; 5.55 inches
February: 14 days; 3.46 inches
March: 16 days; 3.7 inches
April: 14 days: 2.68 inches
May: 12 days; 1.93 inches
June: 9 days; 1.54 inches
July: 5 days; 0.67 inches
August: 4 days; 0.87 inches
September: 7 days; 1.42 inches
October: 13 days; 3.46 inches
November: 18 days; 6.54 inches
December: 17 days; 5.31 inches
Paradise (Mt. Rainier)
Elevation: 5400 feet
Monthly average temperatures (source)
January: 21-33
February: 22-35
March: 22-37
April: 27-44
May: 32-50
June: 44-56
July: 44-64
August: 43-64
September: 39-57
October: 33-48
November: 37-41
December: 22-34
Average precipitation by month (source)
January: 11.71 inches
February: 8.15 inches
March: 7.45 inches
April: 5.71 inches
May: 4.83 inches
June: 3.86 inches
July: 1.62 inches
August: 1.52 inches
September: 3.56 inches
October: 7.89 inches
November: 13.39 inches
December: 10.47 inches
Weather & Conditions Resources
Our preferred weather sites & apps
Clime – detailed radar, precip, temp, forecasts, etc.
Mountain Forecast – great for accurate weather in mountain areas
OpenSummit – great for accurate weather in mountain areas, also has a great mobile app
Astrospheric – great for cloud coverage, KP index, astro, etc, also has a great mobile app
Road status resources
WSDOT Real-Time Travel Map – for real-time alerts, closures, webcams, fires
Park conditions
Maps & trail reviews
Washington Trails Association — best resource for local trails!
Wildfire, smoke, & air quality
Live Animated Air Quality Map – IQAir – great resource, you can track air quality for specific cities, like: Seattle AQI
InciWeb Incident Information System – Washington – see also InciWeb USA
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WILDERPINES ELOPEMENTS
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If you’re looking for more information on how to elope in the Pacific Northwest or beyond, get in touch and let’s start planning your dream elopement!
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