When is Mount Rainier most visible?

Mount Rainier is most visible during late summer through early fall (July-October), with July through September being the optimal viewing period. These drier months offer the best chance of clear skies and stunning views. While occasional clear winter days can provide exceptional visibility with the mountain appearing crisp against blue skies, winter months (December-February) are typically the rainiest with the poorest visibility. Spring (March-May) also has frequent rain and cloud cover. For the best odds of seeing "the mountain out," plan your visit for late summer or early fall.

What time of day is best for viewing Mount Rainier?

Early morning between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM PT offers the clearest viewing conditions, before clouds build up around the mountain. "The mountain is out" is most likely to be true in early morning. Sunset is also an excellent time for viewing, as the light shines back on Mount Rainier from Seattle's northwestern position, often creating a dramatic pink glow on the glacial peak. Mid-day visibility often decreases as clouds and haze develop through the afternoon.

Why can't I see Mount Rainier today?

Mount Rainier is only visible from Seattle about 20% of the year - roughly one day out of every five. The main obstacles are low clouds, fog, and the marine layer that frequently covers the Puget Sound region. Even when it's sunny in Seattle, the mountain can be hidden behind clouds at its elevation. Summer months bring haze, while winter and spring feature persistent cloud cover. The saying "the mountain is out" exists precisely because clear views are special occasions worth noting!

What weather conditions affect Mount Rainier visibility?

Four main factors determine visibility: (1) Cloud cover - marine layer and low clouds are the primary obstacles in Seattle; (2) Humidity - high humidity creates haze that obscures distant views; (3) Precipitation - rain, drizzle, or snow significantly reduce visibility; (4) Air quality - smoke from wildfires (increasingly common in summer) can completely block mountain views. The best conditions combine clear skies, low humidity, clean air, and high pressure systems. Note that sunny weather in Seattle doesn't always mean the mountain is visible.

How accurate are the visibility forecasts?

Our forecasts are most accurate for the next 1-2 days, with reliability decreasing for dates further out. We use weather data from Kerry Park viewing area and calculate visibility scores based on cloud cover, humidity, precipitation, and atmospheric clarity. Pacific Northwest weather can change rapidly, so we recommend checking back closer to your visit for the most current forecast. The real-time score at the top of the page reflects current conditions.

How frequently is the weather data updated?

The forecast updates every 15 minutes, ensuring you always see fresh data. Simply refresh the page to get the latest conditions and visibility predictions for Mount Rainier.

What does the visibility score mean?

The score from 0-100 tells you how likely you are to see Mount Rainier clearly from Seattle. We calculate it based on visibility distance, cloud cover, precipitation probability, and humidity. Here's what the numbers mean: 90-100 = Excellent (perfect "mountain is out" conditions!), 70-89 = Good (you should see Rainier clearly), 50-69 = Fair (partial views, some haze), 0-49 = Poor (likely obscured, check back tomorrow).

Can Mount Rainier be seen at night?

Yes, but only on exceptionally clear nights. Mount Rainier appears as a massive silhouette against the night sky when visible. However, nighttime visibility follows similar patterns to daytime - the mountain is only visible about 20% of the time. Without daylight, it's much harder to distinguish the mountain from clouds. Full moon nights offer the best chance to see Rainier's outline. The saying "the mountain is out" typically refers to daytime viewing when you can see the mountain's snow-covered peak in full detail.

How far in advance can I check the forecast?

You can check the forecast up to 10 days ahead. The "10-Day Forecast" section shows daily conditions at a glance, while "Best Viewing Times" automatically identifies the top windows to see Mount Rainier across all forecast days. Weather forecasts become less reliable beyond 3-5 days, so check back closer to your planned viewing time for the most accurate prediction.

Is Mount Rainier visible from Seattle?

Yes! Mount Rainier can be seen from many locations throughout Seattle on clear days, despite being 60 miles (96 km) away. The mountain appears as a massive snow-covered peak dominating the southeastern skyline. However, it's only visible about 20% of the year (roughly 73 days annually) due to clouds, marine layer, and atmospheric haze. Best Seattle viewing spots include Kerry Park (Queen Anne), Columbia Center Sky View Observatory, Gas Works Park, Alki Beach, and the Space Needle observation deck. When locals say "the mountain is out," it means Rainier is visible - a special occasion worth celebrating!

Should I visit Mount Rainier National Park today?

Check two things: (1) The visibility score at the top of this page - 70+ means good viewing conditions from Seattle; (2) National Park Service alerts for road closures, especially in winter/spring when Paradise Road may be closed due to snow. Even if the score is high, verify park access before driving. If planning to visit the park itself (not just view from Seattle), check nps.gov/mora for current conditions, road status, and any timed entry requirements during peak season.

Where can I see Mount Rainier from?

Mount Rainier is visible from throughout the greater Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area on clear days. Best viewing locations include: Kerry Park (iconic Seattle viewpoint), Alki Beach (waterfront views), Columbia Center observation deck (Seattle's tallest building), Gas Works Park (north Seattle), Discovery Park, and various locations in Tacoma (closer to the mountain). The mountain can also be seen from parts of Bellevue, Everett, and even as far as the San Juan Islands on exceptionally clear days. Our visibility forecast focuses on typical Seattle viewing conditions.

How do I know if Mount Rainier will be visible?

Check three key indicators: (1) The real-time visibility score on this page - 70+ is good, 90+ is excellent; (2) Current weather conditions - look for low cloud cover (under 30%), low humidity, and no precipitation; (3) Local webcams if available. For future dates, review the 10-day forecast and target late summer/fall or winter months with morning viewing times (6-9 AM PT). Remember: even sunny weather in Seattle doesn't guarantee the mountain is visible. Check this page before making special trips, and follow local social media where Seattleites often post "the mountain is out" alerts!

Is the Mountain Out Today? Mount Rainier Visibility Checker - Seattle

Best Viewing Times

All times shown in Pacific Time (PT, UTC-8/-7)

Sun, Nov 30, 2025

3:00 AM

#1 Best Time

Temp5.3°C

Clouds26%

Visibility15.9 km

Visibility

GOOD

Sun, Nov 30, 2025

4:00 AM

#2 Best Time

Temp6.4°C

Clouds53%

Visibility18.7 km

Visibility

FAIR

Wed, Dec 3, 2025

6:00 AM

#3 Best Time

Temp6.2°C

Clouds100%

Visibility24.1 km

Visibility

FAIR

10-Day Mount Rainier Visibility Forecast

Daily visibility outlook and weather conditions

Today

Nov 30

☀️

7° / 1°

Morning

1°

Afternoon

7°

Late Afternoon

6°

Mon

Dec 1

🌧️

7° / 2°

Morning

3°

Afternoon

7°

Late Afternoon

6°

Tue

Dec 2

🌧️

7° / 4°

Morning

5°

Afternoon

7°

Late Afternoon

6°

Wed

Dec 3

☀️

6° / 3°

Morning

3°

Afternoon

6°

Late Afternoon

6°

Thu

Dec 4

🌦️

9° / 4°

Morning

5°

Afternoon

5°

Late Afternoon

6°

Fri

Dec 5

🌧️

10° / 8°

Morning

8°

Afternoon

9°

Late Afternoon

8°

Sat

Dec 6

🌧️

8° / 7°

Morning

8°

Afternoon

8°

Late Afternoon

7°

Sun

Dec 7

🌧️

8° / 7°

Morning

8°

Afternoon

7°

Late Afternoon

7°

Mon

Dec 8

🌧️

7° / 4°

Morning

5°

Afternoon

6°

Late Afternoon

5°

Tue

Dec 9

🌧️

5° / 3°

Morning

4°

Afternoon

5°

Late Afternoon

3°

Seattle Viewing Locations

Best spots to see Mount Rainier from Seattle - 14 locations including parks, observation decks, and waterfront viewpoints

Location Types

Parks & Free Views

Observation Decks

Waterfront

Live Mount Rainier Webcams

Real-time views from 6 cameras at Mount Rainier National Park

Mountain View

Paradise - Direct view of Mount Rainier

Loading live view...

Image courtesy of the National Park Service

Updates every 60 seconds · Last update: 4:25 AM PT

Understanding the Visibility Scale

90+

Excellent

90-100 score

70+

Good

70-89 score

50+

Fair

50-69 score

<50

Poor

0-49 score

Is Mount Rainier Visible Today? Your Complete Visibility Guide

Wondering if Mount Rainier is visible today? Our real-time visibility forecast answers this question with a simple 0-100 score updated every 15 minutes. Whether you're asking "is Mount Rainier visible today from Seattle" or "is the mountain out today", we provide the most accurate visibility predictions available. Check the live score at the top of this page to see if Rainier is visible right now.

Mount Rainier is only visible 20-30% of the year, making it essential to check current conditions before traveling. Our specialized system analyzes weather data, cloud cover, humidity, and atmospheric clarity to tell you exactly when Mount Rainier is visible today. Unlike generic weather apps, we focus specifically on the factors that affect long-distance landmark viewing. A high visibility score (70-100) means Mount Rainier should be clearly visible, while low scores (below 50) indicate the mountain will likely be obscured by clouds or atmospheric haze.

For the best chance of seeing Mount Rainier visible today, visit during winter months (December-February) between 6-9 AM PT when atmospheric conditions are optimal. Use our 10-day forecast to plan ahead and identify days when Mount Rainier visibility is predicted to be excellent (90-100 score). Remember: even if the weather looks clear in Seattle, atmospheric haze can prevent Mount Rainier from being visible - that's why our specialized visibility scoring system is more accurate than standard weather forecasts for answering "is Rainier visible today."

Also check visibility for Mt. Fuji in Japan and Denali in Alaska.

Is the Mountain Out Today?

Best Viewing Times

10-Day Mount Rainier Visibility Forecast

Seattle Viewing Locations

Live Mount Rainier Webcams

Mountain View

Understanding the Visibility Scale

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Rainier Visible Today? Your Complete Visibility Guide