Best Time to See Black Widows in Washington
September, August and October is the best time to see black widows in Washington. Based on 464 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in Washington.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY
Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
464 verified observations of black widows in Washington, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When black widows are recorded in Washington
Peak month
September
121 records (26.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.4% |
| February | 6 | 1.3% |
| March | 32 | 6.9% |
| April | 23 | 5% |
| May | 37 | 8% |
| June | 20 | 4.3% |
| July | 41 | 8.8% |
| Augustpeak | 82 | 17.7% |
| Septemberpeak | 121 | 26.1% |
| Octoberpeak | 71 | 15.3% |
| November | 20 | 4.3% |
| December | 9 | 1.9% |
Black Widows you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Black Widow | 449 |
| Brown Widow | 5 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 39 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Apr | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| May | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Jun | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sepbest time | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Octbest time | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of black widows in Washington peak in September, when 121 of the year's 464 verified observations are logged — about 26.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through September, August and October.
The quietest stretch is January, when black widows are hardest to find — January sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The black widows you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Western Black Widow and Brown Widow — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see black widows in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see black widows in Washington?+
September is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through September, August and October, based on 464 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are black widows hardest to see in Washington?+
January is the quietest month for black widows in Washington, with only 2 verified records.
Are black widows active year-round in Washington?+
Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in September.
More places to see black widows
More wildlife in Washington