Drought in Seattle? (live, areas, places)

[HappyTrent]

Drought in Seattle?

I recently heard that Seattle and the surrounding areas are having a draught? We were talking about irrigation and sprinklers. The comment was made the Seattle water districts were very concerned with conservation.

I was under the impression that Seattle was lush and green year round with lots of rainfall.

Set me straight.

[allforcats]

I think the person you heard that from was speaking of a "Seattle" in an alternative universe... We've had droughts here, but pretty rarely. This past winter we had more rain in the lowlands and more snow in the mountains than almost anyone alive can remember. There will be plenty of water available this year. And you're right, western Washington is green because we get lots and lots of drizzle here for 9 months of the year. Y'know what they say: Seattleites don't tan, they rust.

[Ira500]

But we often get droughts in the summer, and sometimes the previous rainfall and snow melt hasn't been quite enough, so there have been times where watering lawns was restricted....doesn't look that this'll be one of those summers.

[LordBalfor]

Indeed, Ira500 (as usual) is right.

We often DO get short term droughts here in Seattle.
Though much is made of Seattle's rain, the fact is we typically get LESS annual rainfall than places like NYC or Chicago. The difference is we get our rainfall in more or less seemingly endless drizzle for 9 months of the year (only a SLIGHT exaggeration). Our summers however are USUALLY very sunny and dry - so by the end of the summer, drought-like conditions often do occur and lawns everywhere are solid brown.

Fortunately (waterwise) fall always brings the return of the fall monsoons and everything greens up again. Unlike elsewhere it's very green in Seattle during the winter (little snow, many evergreens, and lush green lawns).

Ken

[HappyTrent]

I appreciate the response. It seems that my perception of Seattle has been tainted by the media. As I understood it Seattle was always rainy, lush and green.

It makes sense that in the summer when the rains stop that irrigation would be necessary.

[Ira500]

In August in Seattle many people's lawns have turned brown from lack of water. Unfortunately it grows back after it starts raining again.