Winter in Seattle (Burien, Snohomish, Lake Stevens: living, vs, bill)

[kami26.2]

I am a traveling physical therapist and just got licenced in WA. I already have offers in Burien, Lake Stevens, and Seattle. for Nov-Jan. I have a big boxer that will need areas to run in and I would like to enjoy the fresh seafood and possible hike and bike in the outdoors. I was wondering just how cold it is around seattle during these months and if i should try another area of WA. I am afraid it will be so cold I'll be inside all the time. Also-any suggestions about burien vs seattle vs lake stevens? Thanks

[scirocco22]

If you don't mind running, hiking, and biking in a cold rain, then you'll love it here. Typically, it's 35-45 degrees and damp but you'll also see days when the temperatures will be up in the low 50s a few times.

I couldn't take running in that cold rain so I don't spend the winters here anymore.

Most of western Washington temperatures won't vary by that much so no, it won't matter that much where you are as far as being warmer. Any place on the other side of the Cascades will be colder but drier.

[CityGirl72]

Depends on what is cold to you - what is comfortable and what is hot.

To me it's cold and uncomfortable 10 months at least, but I'm from Calif

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

If you don't mind running, hiking, and biking in a cold rain, then you'll love it here. Typically, it's 35-45 degrees and damp but you'll also see days when the temperatures will be up in the low 50s a few times.

I couldn't take running in that cold rain so I don't spend the winters here anymore.

Most of western Washington temperatures won't vary by that much so no, it won't matter that much where you are as far as being warmer. Any place on the other side of the Cascades will be colder but drier.

you think so, because you have NEVER lived in much much colder places. Seattle winter is not even winter. It's fall. There are just 4-5 really cold days

[pwright1]

I remember my last day living on the east coast. It was in January. The temp. was 19 and the wind was blowing 40mph as we headed to BWI airport. As we got off the plane in Seattle it was 50 and partly cloudy. Everything was green, people weren't so bundled up. People were walking, plants were alive. Yes it rains, yes its cloudy but give me winters here anyday.

[Redline]

seattle > lake stevens (far though) >>>> burien

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

you think so, because you have NEVER lived in much much colder places. Seattle winter is not even winter. It's fall. There are just 4-5 really cold days

However, as I've said in MANY posts here, "I" (as in me, myself, and I) prefer 20 degrees and snow to 35 and rain.

I'm talking about "cold rain," Botev. Cold rain is something "I" despise ...something I personally don't like.

And I have lived in the central and eastern part of the state and visited many parts of the country in the winter so I don't think I necessarily need to live in an area to proclaim what I PREFER.

[geometricdisaster]

Just from what I've observed:
Snohomish county (ie Lake Stevens) trends slightly warmer by a few degrees than metro Seattle.

To pwright's comment: agreed, mid-Atlantic winters are no joke.

Temperature-wise Western WA's topographic location affords it a much milder climate overall than many parts of the country.

When I've gone to central or Eastern WA, I've found that they tend to have more temperature extremes depending on the season.

[SandyCo]

I have a question, but I didn't want to start an entirely new weather thread (aren't there enough of those? LOL). It's cloudy today in So-Cal, but that's because the first storm of the season is approaching, and I'm feeling a heightened sense of anticipation. I think I might just feel depressed in Seattle under such cloudy conditions. But here's my question - Does Seattle get real rain storms, where it rains 2-3"? Or is it always kind of drizzling and "spitting" instead? I'm trying to get some kind of an idea. I like rain, but could do without endless drizzle and dampness. Anyone?

[Embraer]

If I may, I moved to Seattle a couple of months ago but before that I was a regular visitor to the area for over 2 years.

Seattle sees very few heavy rain days...there are some but not very many. Yes, its mainly drizzle. Sometimes the drizzle will only be for a few hours then the sun will come out. Other times it will drizzle constantly for over 10 days at a time. The first time I experienced that I actually began to not notice the drizzle after day 4.

The dampness in the air is ever present, but that is what makes the area so green and lush. Don't confuse damp air with rain falling on your head. And also don't confuse it with humidity. Its hard to describe with words really.

Put it this way; If you don't like clouds and drizzle then you won't like Seattle. Not that it is always cloudy and drizzly; but when the weather decides to close up and spit out a little moisture it will do so for a couple of weeks at a time. But on the other hand it will also be sunny and beautiful for days on end...especially during the summers.

Personally I enjoy the cloudy days as much as the sunny ones. That is what allows me to live and love Seattle. If I was a sun worshipper I would hate it here. I'm an extreme heat/high humidity hater so I actually don't like the South; I moved here from Texas. Seattle fits the bill perfectly and the weather is just a small reason why.