Seattle Weather/Climate Thread (Shoreline, Rainier: local, Friday, locals)

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

It's not just Seattle either. Much of Europe is also in a bad weather pattern. This year I arrived in late June and have seen chilly and rainy weather most days. Approaching the end of July and many people are still running their heaters and wearing light jackets. They're on the verge of a lost summer unless August heats up and the sun decides to stick around a little longer each day.

Germany is having a cold summer. It's cloudy, cold and windy but Germans can't complain much because they know they can't move to another German city that has sunnier or warmer weather. English, Scottish, Irish and Scandinavians don't have choice either. They have similar weather all around their countries. And these places get a lot LESS annual sunshine than Seattle

[cjg5]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

that was in 2009 July 29th

Oops! You are absolutely correct! Don't know why I put 08! That heat wave was right after my son was born.

[irrational exuberance]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

I am not trying to convince people anything. I didn't make up the numbers. I am just giving you the facts. 47% doesn't mean a whole day with sunshine. If one day has 15 hours and it's cloudy 13 hours and sunny 2 hours you get 13% of sunshine, but the day will be recorded as mostly cloudy. That's why I told you even some of the mostly cloudy (not partly cloudy days) have some sunshine. The partly cloudy days could get more than 60 or 70% of sunshine, but it could be less than that depending on the day. Hours/percentage of sunshine is way better than cloud cover. I have never said Seattle is a sunny place. It's not! But it's not as bad as you are trying to make it

Trying to make it sound bad???? Not sure how as I also quoted the facts. I think you try to make the weather here sound better than it is, and like others, take it personal when someone points out the dreary weather. I still dont understand the numbers of how 226 overcast days a year (62%) have no sunshine I feel or observe as many of those days I cant even locate the sun through the blanket of clouds, yet Seattle has 47% sunshine. Obviously there is a part of the measure that accounts for sunshine even on overcast days. Thats why I prefer to look at cloudy days over % of sunshine. Remember we dont control the weather we endure it or observe it and the overcast days and partly cloudy days paint a picture of a cloudy dreary place and I agree. It also helps those who are thinking of moving here get the gist of the weather as you ask someone what % of sunshine they get a year would most likely confuse them. If someone comes here and thinks 1 out of every 2 days are sunny they wl be in for a rude awakening. But this weather does make for a place that so many can thrive economically and enjoy camping etc. So there are benefits but the lack of warm sunshiney weather is the clear deterent for many to come here and many who have moved here.

[evergraystate]

It really is misleading to claim partly cloudy days where 2 of 15 hours of daylight might have some sun as part of his 47% claim.

[Botev1912]

Partly cloudy days don't have sunshine 2 out of 15 hours. That would be mostly cloudy (80% cloud cover). Some of the partly cloudy days (like Friday) can get more than 70 or 80% sunshine and even 95% ! This is because some days get light high clouds that don't interfere with the sunlight and the sun shines all day while the day is not completely clear. You still get 40% or 50% cloud cover but the sun shines 80% of the day! Of course there is the other type of partly cloudy days that get only 30-40% of sunshine. This is why cloudy, partly cloudy and sunny days per year don't give you the whole picture. I like sunny and warm weather but Seattle weather is just fine. There are so much worse places in the USA and Europe weatherwise. Miami gets more than 70% of sunshine per year while It only gets 74 clear/sunny days a year. But it's still one of the sunniest places in the US, sunnier than San Diego that has 146 sunny days a year! Look at the link below
http://www.currentresults.com/Weathe...est-cities.php

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by cjg5

Oops! You are absolutely correct! Don't know why I put 08! That heat wave was right after my son was born.

ah yes, the infamous 103 day. I was almost there for that but went up in September instead when it was 90

[evergraystate]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Some of the partly cloudy days (like Friday) can get more than 70 or 80% sunshine and even 95% !

No. What you're describing is a mostly sunny day. Friday had more cloud cover than sun. I don't understand why the locals are so obsessed with misleading people. Oh well.

Clear Skies: Skies are clear when no clouds or obscurations are observed or detected from the point of observation.

Cloudy: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered completely by opaque (not transparent) clouds. In other words, 8 octants of the sky is covered by opaque clouds.

Fair: It is usually used at night to describe less than 3/8 opaque clouds, no precipitation, no extremes of visibility, temperature or winds. It describes generally pleasant weather conditions.

Mostly Clear: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered 1/8 to 2/8 with opaque (not transparent) clouds. Called Mostly Sunny if it is during the day.

Mostly Cloudy: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered by more than half, but not completely covered by opaque (not transparent) clouds. In other words, 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky is covered by opaque clouds. Same as Considerable Cloudiness.

Mostly Sunny: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered 1/8 to 2/8 with opaque (not transparent) clouds. Same as Mostly Clear.

Partly Cloudy: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered 3/8 to 4/8 with opaque (not transparent) clouds. Same as Partly Sunny.

Partly Sunny: When the predominant/average sky condition is covered 3/8 to 4/8 with opaque (not transparent) clouds. Same as Partly Cloudy.

Sunny: When there are no opaque (not transparent) clouds. Same as Clear.

If you have a problem with the definition, by all means take it up with the professionals.

[swerver]

Maybe some people just have more tolerance for partly cloudy than others. I thought friday was great too. What's the difference if the sky is completely clear or has some clouds, as long as it's not completely cloudy you will be getting sunshine on your skin.

For the record I have lived the majority of my life outside the pnw and I still like it here. The idea that only locals like it here is silly. No its not perfect and yes I wouldn't mind more sun, but not at the cost of oppressive heat/humidity. I like sunny weather too but I also realize that places that get a lot more sun will usually be too hot for me. I don't need it to go above 80 to be summer. When we get in the high 70's I start looking for shade, which actually works here to cool you down. In many places its so hot and humid that even in the shade, you are still sweating while standing still.

Different strokes to move the world!!!

[skihikeclimb]

Originally Posted by CarawayDJ

It's not just Seattle either. Much of Europe is also in a bad weather pattern. This year I arrived in late June and have seen chilly and rainy weather most days. Approaching the end of July and many people are still running their heaters and wearing light jackets. They're on the verge of a lost summer unless August heats up and the sun decides to stick around a little longer each day.

YA but Northwest Europe is a maritime climate just like the Pacific Northwest.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by evergraystate

Friday had more cloud cover than sun. I don't understand why the locals are so obsessed with misleading people. Oh well.
If you have a problem with the definition, by all means take it up with the professionals.

Friday in Shoreline. Now you would say this wasn't downtown...