Why is it Seattle has the "best" summers in the USA? (Rainier: house, camping)

[41Willys]

Why is it? Is it because its been "mostly" grey for 8-9 months and the people are just so happy to see the sun for more then a week in a row and it sparks positive attitudes and happiness?
Or is it because of the "perfect climate" the PNW has when the sun is out?
Or is it a combination of climate/people/scenary/location.

Whats your opinion? Please share.

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by 41Willys

Why is it? Is it because its been "mostly" grey for 8-9 months and the people are just so happy to see the sun for more then a week in a row and it sparks positive attitudes and happiness?
Or is it because of the "perfect climate" the PNW has when the sun is out?
Or is it a combination of climate/people/scenary/location.

Whats your opinion? Please share.

It is all of the above and then some!!

I LOVE the PNW in the summer, I am leaving for my 7 week vacation back in the majestic PNW in just 18 days!

You have to spend the entire summer (8 weeks on average) there to really understand it. The climate is perfect, the scenery is amazing, there is so much to enjoy outdoors, between the water, the trees, the mountains, camping, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and then all the festivals, fairs and other fun activities to do you just can't help to have a great time.

Here is a sampling of what our vacation will include...

Day trips to the zoo, berry farm picking, jetty island, mount rainier, golfing, green lake, kayaking, bite of Seattle, and the childrens museum.

Camping at Deception Pass, Kalaloch National Park on the coast, and Lake Mayfield near St. Helens.

You wouldn't believe how many other things we have planned that I didn't list!

I LOVE THE PNW!!! (in the summer)

[CityGirl72]

now see I won't bag on Seattle weather at all this time

I came from a place that was 70s or 80s from March (sometimes Feb) and it was my favorite time of year. SO I lOVE PNW summer - it's JUST right when it's in the 80s. I'm so comfortable.

I don't even visit my old home town during the summer (except to drop my kid off at his dad's) because I don't want to be near the over 105 degree weather. I like it warm but I'm not crazy

[jwb123]

I think it's the combo of all that you mentioned. It does have the "perfect climate" for that 3 or 4 weeks in the summer time and I think that invigorates people for that short period of time.

[toughguy]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I think it's the combo of all that you mentioned. It does have the "perfect climate" for that 3 or 4 weeks in the summer time and I think that invigorates people for that short period of time.

You have to take alot of what Jenbar says with a grain of salt. In a typical Puget Sound summer, the awesome weather usually begins mid-late June and lasts well into September, a good 10 weeks at least. It varies from year to year. So far in 2007 we had about 3 weeks of straight sun and warm weather with 2 rainy days interspersed, and that was starting the first week in May. Some years, it can seem like summer doesn't come until July.

[scirocco22]

Yes, agreed, toughguy, we have to take each post with a grain-of-salt because we each see it a little differently.

I agree with you in that summer comes at different times and lasts for differing amounts of time each year.

I've spent more years in Seattle that I care to admit but I'm almost certain that I've probably spent more summers there than practically any other poster here. My feelings tend to side with Jenbar. I always tell people that they can't rely on summer in Seattle outside of the last two weeks in July and the first two weeks in August; give or take a week. That's the main reason why I left ...I needed "better" weather.

But remember, also take what I say with a grain-of-salt.

Thanks for posting.

[Wanderlust07]

Summers in Seattle are just unpredictable, as scirocco22 mentioned, which makes it extremely difficult to enjoy a Seattle summer to its fullest. I live across the water from Seattle, but the weather is pretty similar. Today, for example, it poured and it's only 56 degrees and still cloudy. Just a couple of days ago, it was beautiful and 85 degrees. It's nearly impossible to get acclimated to the warmer weather because it is often immediately followed by cool weather, which sends people like me into shock...and the drastic day-to-day weather changes can make the "hot" days seem too hot and humid...and few people have A/C around here. Another downside is that most people are working during the bulk of those gorgeous days and don't have an opportunity to really enjoy them (and you can't count on a sunny weekend around here).

In all fairness, though, when it's sunny and warm here, it's incredible. The majesty of Mt. Rainier with its snowcapped peak, the vibrant green of the trees, the dark azure of the Sound...it's like a postcard.

[pwright1]

But last week the 85 degree weather was too hot for many. That was unusual for this time of year. June is 60's not 85 or 90 like it was. Today was spring showers which we needed. Today I thought was a nice spring day.

[CityGirl72]

And see I'm just the opposite from PWright - I thought that the 85 degree days were wonderful - so nice I cried. I could finally open the windows in my house and have nice spring breeze blow through without being cold (I keep my house at 78)

The weather yesterday was downpour raining and 52 degrees - it was a crappy day and I've had enough of those days here all year long

[secret_squirrel]

Originally Posted by pwright1

But last week the 85 degree weather was too hot for many.

Yes, that's a common complaint here. Half complain when it's too wet and the minute the thermometer tips above 72 degrees, half of the population are in agony about the stifling temperatures. As for me, I will never complain that Seattle is "too hot."

As for the thread question: low humidity, low bugs, beautiful vistas, moderate temperatures, relatively cool nights. We may have hot days, but compared the the stiffling heat in other parts of the country, it's very comfortable here.

When the weather is good, I catch myself looking around and feeling truly lucky - thinking I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I can't think of a single place I'd rather be.