Pac northwest weather VS Midwest weather

[roneb]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Well, the nice thing about Portland is apart from a few storms, most of the rain is pretty light when it happens.

Actually, that is the problem with Portland winters. It rarely rains heavy, so it takes days of gray to get our 34-36 inches annual rainfall. I'd rather deal with heavy downpours resulting in 60 inches annually. At least that way you get it over with and the sun comes back out! Better yet, I'd rather see a foot of snow on the ground for a month or three! Keep in mind I grew up in MT and AK (that's Alaska, not Arkansas) so I actually enjoy snow and sub-zero temps!

I know we've had a stretch of beautiful fall days for the past week plus here, but that is not the norm for falls in Portland. Tell the truth, how many years have you had to put plastic bags over your kids halloween costumes?

[oldtintype]

For the years my five year old has been trick or treating it has never rained.

[Lillietta]

Errr..that'd probably be about 3 years. Just kidding.

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by keloucks

This doesn't help northeast Ohio is so much worse than Michigan. I used to live in Michigan and nothing compares to Northeast Ohio. Stupid Lake effect. Green grass on Christmas, 10 inch blizzards in April. What!?!? I'd move to Portland and deal with rainy gloomy over snow any day.

Me, too. I grew up about 30 miles from Lake Michigan, where you grew up dreading the words "lake effect snow" coming from the weatherman's mouth. 6-10 inches of snow in a single day was not unheard of. It was pretty to watch the big, fluffy, wet flakes coming down, but shoveling it was a bear. And driving was never a picnic. I mean, you got used to it, but I could never go back to winters like that, having experienced D.C.'s mild winters for the past four years.

I'm looking forward to the gloom and drizzle of the PNW. That's one of the things luring me there!

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by Lillietta

Errr..that'd probably be about 3 years. Just kidding.

ACtually it would be four . My point is just as usual, that it's not all rain and gloom all the time. It obviously seems that way to some, and for each person it's different but to me October is the best month of the year--the leaves change, we get some rain after months of none for the most part, it's cool and crisp, etc. It rains just enough to make things feel damp and with the weather becoming colder it's just a really nice feeling after having had a nice warm summer.

[NataliaB]

I think you just have to come to find out. My husband and I are from WI. Initially I loved the winters in Portland because they weren't freezing and there was little snow. Now, though (after 5 winters here), I could switch back to the midwest winters because we really do see very little sun for 8 months. Summers are from July 4th - middle of September. We may go three weeks without seeing the sun in the winter. This doesn't affect my husband at all, but not having sunshine really bugs me. If you are the type of person who would rather sit in the sun than in the basement on a nice day, than perhaps Portland winters would be hard for you. There is so much to Portland besides the rain and gloom though!

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by NataliaB

We may go three weeks without seeing the sun in the winter. This doesn't affect my husband at all, but not having sunshine really bugs me. If you are the type of person who would rather sit in the sun than in the basement on a nice day, than perhaps Portland winters would be hard for you. There is so much to Portland besides the rain and gloom though!

Another thing about the part of Michigan I came from is that it was overcast almost all winter long. We used to make jokes wondering what that big shiny yellow ball in the sky was, when it made a rare appearance in the winter months.

Was this common for others in Michigan? Maybe it only happened near the lakes, where there was more moisture in the air?

Whatever the case, months of clouds won't phase me at all in the PNW, because that's what I'm used to in the winter. The dang sun hurts my eyes, anyway ... and I find an overcast sky very comfy and cozy, like having a big ol' security blanket over my head.

[NataliaB]

YoAdrian,

Sounds like you would love Portland winters then! The evening news crew actually did a piece a few winters ago when it snowed a lot - showcasing a contraption called a "windshield scraper!" We got a kick out of that one. We have come to find out that you don't really need one out here :O)

[gnab gib]

Originally Posted by NataliaB

YoAdrian,

Sounds like you would love Portland winters then! The evening news crew actually did a piece a few winters ago when it snowed a lot - showcasing a contraption called a "windshield scraper!" We got a kick out of that one. We have come to find out that you don't really need one out here :O)

LOL! That's hilarious!

I look forward to not needing those nasty things anymore. There are still some cold mornings out here in metro DC that call for them, but it's nothing like back in Michigan. I feel like I'm slowly weaning myself off cold, snowy winters ... with Portland being the last stop.

[oldtintype]

Hmm...on really cold mornings I used a windshield scraper every morning so that I could see out my windshield. If you don't garage your car you DO need one! Maybe not as much but...the thin coat of icy dew can be just as bad!!!