Seattle's Wettest Rainy Season Ever! (homes, calculation, live)

[treuphax]

Seattle is pretty infamous for being rainy.

Just recently read that we survived the wettest rainy season in recorded history.

I'm tempted to ask, "Dear Gods of Rain, Is that all you got?"
Now to be sure I'm not exactly enthusiastic about the frequent rain, but it wasn't terrible either.

And this counts only November through February. Last October was also the third rainiest October on record. If you add that to the calculation, it was a truly historic season. To me this the early start of the relentless rainy season was bitterer than its relentlessness from November through February.

But whatever. I complain plenty about things here that don't suit my personality or values. The climate however is just fine by me. In fact I'd take twice the rain for half the traffic. I just haven't found anybody who's able to deliver on that deal. Instead we can look forward to welcoming Oakland, California's previous lovely climate and glorious golden summers. Unfortunately we'll probably be getting the Bay Area's traffic as part of the bargain.

[homesinseattle]

Last summer had to be one of the sunniest. I craved the rain for our plants, trees and water supply. I'm glad it came and I really don't think it has been that bad. Almost no snow in Seattle, temps quite mild.

[Hemlock140]

Despite the record rain, I don't remember a winter when we saw more sun. I'll take that trade-off anytime, sun and cool, more rain over a shorter period of time is a lot better than the usual constant light drizzle. We are at 600' elevation and did see snow fall 3-4 times, but it never stuck, and that also helped make it a great winter.

[Blindtom]

It seems to me that the rain has been "harder" this winter - (less drizzle, and more rain)? Is it just me?

[Botev1912]

It was the wettest because we had heavy rain many times. Therefore it rained for fewer total hours and we got more sun than a regular winter.

[Ruth4Truth]

The NW is getting the El Nino downpours that California expected, but didn't get. There's been a bit of rain in CA, thank heaven for that, but it's been lighter than expected, and less frequent. You guys seem to have stolen most of it.

Climate change predictions for Western Washington are that there will be drier summers, but wetter winters, as the oceans warm and more water evaporates into the atmosphere, to come down as torrential rain. What you saw this year is the early part of that process.

[87112]

^^^^^^ if that is the case Arizona winter homes will be on everyone's wish list.

[flyingsaucermom]

This threw a bit of a wrench of my belief in climate change (but like a very, very small one). Scientist kinda only half got it right for this winter's prediction... what if the same goes for climate change in general? What if it's not so terrible in the end (especially for us)? Maybe I'm just looking for hope.. and justification for my very stoic lifestyle...

But still seems like Seattle would be a pretty good place to move to if the predictions come true... but my fear is we'd not only attract the usual "economic refugee" as one poster here refers to himself, but also a lot moving in because their region is no longer hospitable/habitable.

Like these Floridians: [url=http://prospect.org/article/sinking-feeling-politics-sea-level-rise-and-miamis-building-boom]That Sinking Feeling: The Politics of Sea Level Rise and Miami's Building Boom[/url]

[elkotronics]

^^^^^^ if that is the case Arizona winter homes will be on everyone's wish list.

Go ta the Midwest or the southern U.S. states, you who want more value, better weather and less muss. Period. Having said that, I hope Chris Hansen can talk to smarter people in the NBA front office, who see that Seattle should have a NBA team once again. That whole Clay Blockhead fiasco was for the birds, sports dudes.

[noah]

This is my firs winter back in the PNW and I thought it was pretty mild with a lot of nice days. THis makes a lot of sense, otherwise my experience doesn't fit with it rained so much etc..

Originally Posted by Botev1912

It was the wettest because we had heavy rain many times. Therefore it rained for fewer total hours and we got more sun than a regular winter.