Rain (Seattle: suite, nice areas, dental)

[Deep_Vee]

As yet another Native/Life Long resident, I'll share my opinion.

First, if you want to relocate here, you will believe what you want about our weather. But, you can't deny it is the number one complaint you see on this board about the area....like it or not, it IS an issue to a lot of people.

Second, a couple of anecdotal stories about the Seattle weather.

I remember the day, sometime in April, 1993, I'm walking across the UW campus on my way to class, I'm cold, wet, the sidwalk is wet, it's grey and drizzling like normal. I had a very strange awakening...I realized that this weather wasn't "normal". I realized that although I had lived my entire life with it, in most places, this cold, damp, dreary, weather would not be expected. It was really odd to become cogniscent of the fact that our weather is not what most people experience in their daily lives.

Since that weather "awakening" I have spent a great deal of time traveling the country for work. Spending approximatly 1/4 of the time on the road. During that time I have spent countless weeks in the South and Texas during all times of the year. I have experienced record setting heatwaves (10 days straight with a heat index over 110 in South Carolina comes to mind), and I will admit that that type of weather is also miserable in its own right. But, the overall trend has always been the same. I don't think about the weather anywhere else. It just take for granted that it will be primarily clear, or if it's overcast, the ceiling will be much higher than in the NW. I can't count the times I've taken off from an airport after a week in the clear weather, flown cross country in the clear weather, and approximately 5 minutes before landing at Sea-Tac crossed through a thick cloud cover to land in the grey, dreary, oh so Seattle weather. I don't care who you are...it's depressing!

And Finally, my last weather observation happened last spring. I watch the weather channel every morning before work. I watched them go through the "countdown to Spring". I remember the day they celebrated the start of spring by showing the beautiful weather popping up accross the country. during that time, I happened to travel Philadelphia for a week and sure enough, it was a beautiful "springish" week. Clear skys, a few spring showers, but overall very pleasant. Upon returning home, I was completely unsurprised to note that it could have been November, March, June, or October...it didn't really matter because the weather is exactly the same, 40-50's, overcast, and drizzly.

Sure, some may love our weather, the mild temps, lack of heat, lack of extreme cold, etc. But as I get older, I definitely am not one of those people.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by Deep_Vee

I remember the day, sometime in April, 1993, I'm walking across the UW campus on my way to class, I'm cold, wet, the sidwalk is wet, it's grey and drizzling like normal. I had a very strange awakening...I realized that this weather wasn't "normal". I realized that although I had lived my entire life with it, in most places, this cold, damp, dreary, weather would not be expected. It was really odd to become cogniscent of the fact that our weather is not what most people experience in their daily lives.

It certainly is "normal" for here...

[mayfair]

Deep_Vee, that was an insightful post. I came to a similar conclusion after travelling back east in summer and returning to the gray cloud cover here. Western WA is its own little world weather-wise. Some people love it. It was fun for about ten years then yuck.

[mthomson]

[quote=Deep_Vee;2405536]I don't care who you are...it's depressing!

quote]

Not true! Flying into SeaTac, breaking through that layer of clouds, and seeing miles and miles of green trees and endless waterways is the most beautiful airport scene I've ever flown into.
Depressing is flying into LAX and seeing the nastiest brown haze you've ever seen. Depressing is flying into Austin and seeing nothing but flat and buildings and cement. Depressing is flying into NYC and seeing rivers the color of Seattle coffee.
It is a matter of preference, but some of us enjoy the rain and the beauty it provides.

[PG77]

I hate this rain and everyday I get more and more depressed. I have to get out of here

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

Sunrise in June in mid June is about 4:10 am in Seattle...so it is starting to get light at 3:30 am

No. Earliest sunrise is at around 5:10 (you are not taking into account Daylight Saving Time) - so 4:30 is more appropriate for getting daylight.

Sunrise and sunset in Seattle - Washington - U.S.A.

Ken

[Baldy]

If weather bothers you, you have too much time on your hands. My life is way too busy to be concerned with the weather. So, if you are miserable here, go! Please don't disturb the natives!

I've lived and worked in all four corners of America and this is the very best of everywhere. I'm sorry I left when I graduated...I should have stayed. My world experience left me jaded and hard. I meet the people who stayed and they are so cool and mellow that it makes me sad that I ever left.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

No. Earliest sunrise is at around 5:10 (you are not taking into account Daylight Saving Time) - so 4:30 is more appropriate for getting daylight.

Sunrise and sunset in Seattle - Washington - U.S.A.

Ken

Thanks, I did forget to add DST!

[PG77]

Originally Posted by Baldy

If weather bothers you, you have too much time on your hands. My life is way too busy to be concerned with the weather. So, if you are miserable here, go! Please don't disturb the natives!

I've lived and worked in all four corners of America and this is the very best of everywhere. I'm sorry I left when I graduated...I should have stayed. My world experience left me jaded and hard. I meet the people who stayed and they are so cool and mellow that it makes me sad that I ever left.

I dont think that is a very fair statement. Many people here are busy and live full lives and still don't care for the weather and that includes some natives, also. I am miserable and I do plan to go. I would have never left Florida if it wasn't for the job situation and my sister is out here. But it wasn't worth it. You natives can have this place.

[bye bye cali]

I have to agree with MThompson, I live in Calif and I swear it's 363 days of sunshine. I think it was cloudy 2 days and probably only partly cloudy at that. The monotony of it all! Depressing predictability applies to sun as well.

I used to live in a foggy/overcast climate and I never thought sunshine would become dreary to me untill I had to live in it day after day after day. Year after year after year. Brown, dry years at that. Everything is a trade-off and I would trade sun for lush greenery any day. So let me know if you want to trade, I have a nice ranch with endless sun. It'll be on the market soon!