What to Expect from Seattle Weather
Thursday, July 19, 2012 4:09:41 AM
The Pacific ocean that borders Washington state causes the coastal area to be lush and wet most of the year. However, most people don't realize that summers in the Pacific Northwest can be hot and dry, too. Seattle air conditioning is easy to find because everyone wants it and most have it. Just as they prepare for the chance of snowfall in the winter, you'll find all the hotels and places of interest in Seattle well cooled.
All the rain you hear about falling in Washington primarily falls between the months of November and May. That's half the year and the other six months are sunnier. Though spring and fall can be rainy, there is usually at least one good month of perfect summer weather. Don't be surprised if it dips over 100 degrees Fahrenheit the next time you're in Seattle on a summer day.
Being in a big city makes extremely hot summer days worse, too. Concrete soaks up sunlight easily and holds onto it even when the sun itself has set. This keeps the city hotter than rural areas. Luckily, refreshing breezes are often provided by the nearby waterfront.
In the winter time, most people are unprepared for snow storms because they aren't very common. Anyone living closer to the mountains, however, will certainly have chains for their vehicles for when the road gets rough. In the city of Seattle, hills are steep and this can make them very dangerous and difficult to drive on them during the winter months.
Another myth about Washington state is that the whole area is prone to rain. On the contrary, most of eastern Washington struggles more with a lack of water than an overabundance. The Cascade mountains that travel right through the heart of Washington make it so people on the east side experience very different weather than the people on the west side.
Eastern Washington is hot, dry and agricultural. The summers are much hotter than on the west side and droughts are not uncommon. Most of the eastern half of Washington is made up of rural areas and farmer's fields. There is an industrial side to eastern Washington, too, though in recent years the local tourism economy has spiked as well.
In the heart of Seattle there are fun ways to get out of the heat. Several lakes plus lots of fountains make water easy to get to. Your hotel will have air conditioning, too, which provides greater relief. The weather in Seattle is sometimes unpredictable but rarely severe.
Contrary to common belief, the Pacific Northwest does have distinct seasons. It isn't just all rain all the time. The summers are beautiful on both sides of the mountains. Though the east side is hotter than the west side, Seattle air conditioning is still something almost everyone has just in case the weather takes a turn to the warmer. The same precautions can be taken for unexpected winter weather, too.
For a good informational starting point, I recommend Washington Energy.
