Tell me about the weather, please (Seattle, Tacoma: rating, areas, summers)

[kavm]

Originally Posted by cnote99

If schools and access to employment are not priorities then you have many, many options to choose from. You aren’t confined to the Seattle area or surrounding islands. Have you looked into central WA? I hear once you get over the cascades it’s a lot sunnier and basically a desert climate.

Thank you! Somehow, we aren't very excited about central WA.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by happygrrrl

Did you read this whole thread? Read my post #48. I live at the very northern end of the Olympic Peninsula, 11 years now. It's far from where Diana & Derek live, they are much farther south, & not in such an extreme latitude.

There is much to love here & I'm not leaving, but you mentioned health care, so you need to be aware that this area is struggling to find & retain competent medical staffing. It wasn't the best situation when I moved here but I didn't require much regarding health care, then suddenly I did.


My FP retired & when my specialist retires, I'm screwed, as she has diagnosed & treated 2 life threatening situations not even within her specialty. My spouse's specialist left, dentist left, trusted veterinarian retired. More people have moved here in the past couple of years & find themselves on long waiting lists to see a PAC or NP, maybe luckily a MD. My husband argued with a office person just to get me an appointment with a PAC for which I waited for 6 weeks. Now I finally have an appointment with a specialist in the greater Seattle area...in July, which I'm grateful to get.

A drug rehab/psychiatric clinic is being built in a nearby community & it appears that is where the money & attention regarding healthcare is focused.

I know this is a weather thread but since you mentioned health care..

I have read the whole thread but not in one sitting. I reread your post #48 and noted that our plan of spending 1 month or more in the winter prior to any serious decision to relate matches your suggestion. Regarding healthcare, I have been aware of the medical care availability concerns in the area but your details help make it more concrete.

A conundrum awaits us if we decide to relocate to the area. We would have to reconcile conflicting 'requirements' -

• Some argue for (greater) Seattle: health care, cultural and culinary offerings, ethnic diversity (both of us are first generation immigrants)
• while others argue for Olympic peninsula/rain shadow: large interest in nature, hiking, biking - ideally close by and available.

In theory, a small condo in Seattle and a place in Olympic peninsula could solve that albeit at an investment level that is feasible but not necessarily ideal.

But, we don't want to get away from a determination to experience the winter weather for sufficiently long period of time to be able to seriously look further.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by kavm

I have read the whole thread but not in one sitting. I reread your post #48 and noted that our plan of spending 1 month or more in the winter prior to any serious decision to relate matches your suggestion. Regarding healthcare, I have been aware of the medical care availability concerns in the area but your details help make it more concrete.

A conundrum awaits us if we decide to relocate to the area. We would have to reconcile conflicting 'requirements' -

• Some argue for (greater) Seattle: health care, cultural and culinary offerings, ethnic diversity (both of us are first generation immigrants)
• while others argue for Olympic peninsula/rain shadow: large interest in nature, hiking, biking - ideally close by and available.

In theory, a small condo in Seattle and a place in Olympic peninsula could solve that albeit at an investment level that is feasible but not necessarily ideal.

But, we don't want to get away from a determination to experience the winter weather for sufficiently long period of time to be able to seriously look further.

I honestly don't think it as huge a difference as some make it out to be. It's more nuanced in terms of microclimates. Its all still west of the Cascades and far north (more than Seattle). When those artic cold fronts move down from Alaska, they do not discriminate though sometimes miss more southern locations. And while Sequim and PA will get less rain, they still get cold, wind and clouds. Its not like one will be terrible and the other a winter oasis Shangri la or anything. Yet that is the impression many have when hearing about this rain shadow. It's a lot different than a true Banana Belt like Brookings, Oregon which is essentially the warmest, sunniest winter location in all the PNW. And its right on the boarder of California, so more southern with longer winter days as well.

I doubt many Washingtonians who live in Seattle ever think "if only could escape this winter weather and live in Sequim instead." If you really want a warmer, sunnier winter getaway just buy a little condo in Florida and save a boat load of money. Then, live the rest of the year in Seattle. That would truly be the best of both worlds. Some do the same with Arizona as well. But if you're determined to stay in the PNW, then Brookings, OR will be nicer in the winter and not too far from home.

By contrast, those like Happygirrrl who live on the OP in the rain shadow likely do think "if only I lived closer to good medical care or other essential amenities." That's a long drive + ferry crossing to get to those things including an airport.

Derek

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I honestly don't think it as huge a difference as some make it out to be. It's more nuanced in terms of microclimates. Its all still west of the Cascades and far north (more than Seattle). When those artic cold fronts move down from Alaska, they do not discriminate though sometimes miss more southern locations. And while Sequim and PA will get less rain, they still get cold, wind and clouds. Its not like one will be terrible and the other a winter oasis Shangri la or anything. Yet that is the impression many have when hearing about this rain shadow. It's a lot different than a true Banana Belt like Brookings, Oregon which is essentially the warmest, sunniest winter location in all the PNW. And its right on the boarder of California, so more southern with longer winter days as well.

I doubt many Washingtonians who live in Seattle ever think "if only could escape this winter weather and live in Sequim instead." If you really want a warmer, sunnier winter getaway just buy a little condo in Florida and save a boat load of money. Then, live the rest of the year in Seattle. That would truly be the best of both worlds. Some do the same with Arizona as well. But if you're determined to stay in the PNW, then Brookings, OR will be nicer in the winter and not too far from home.

By contrast, those like Happygirrrl who live on the OP in the rain shadow likely do think "if only I lived closer to good medical care or other essential amenities." That's a long drive + ferry crossing to get to those things including an airport.

Derek

Yes! I agree that if the weather in Seattle would be a dealbreaker they’re not gonna be any happier in Sequim.

I think they’d be setting themselves up for disappointment that way.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I honestly don't think it as huge a difference as some make it out to be. It's more nuanced in terms of microclimates. Its all still west of the Cascades and far north (more than Seattle). When those artic cold fronts move down from Alaska, they do not discriminate though sometimes miss more southern locations. And while Sequim and PA will get less rain, they still get cold, wind and clouds. Its not like one will be terrible and the other a winter oasis Shangri la or anything. Yet that is the impression many have when hearing about this rain shadow. It's a lot different than a true Banana Belt like Brookings, Oregon which is essentially the warmest, sunniest winter location in all the PNW. And its right on the boarder of California, so more southern with longer winter days as well.

I doubt many Washingtonians who live in Seattle ever think "if only could escape this winter weather and live in Sequim instead." If you really want a warmer, sunnier winter getaway just buy a little condo in Florida and save a boat load of money. Then, live the rest of the year in Seattle. That would truly be the best of both worlds. Some do the same with Arizona as well. But if you're determined to stay in the PNW, then Brookings, OR will be nicer in the winter and not too far from home.

By contrast, those like Happygirrrl who live on the OP in the rain shadow likely do think "if only I lived closer to good medical care or other essential amenities." That's a long drive + ferry crossing to get to those things including an airport.

Derek

Thank you for that perspective. Very helpful indeed as it helps us resolve one dilemma.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

It's not an act. Some of us actually like the weather here. Honestly, I am much more hindered by the heat in summer than the rain in winter.

But I absolutely agree with you that people should come and see it for themselves before committing. No argument there!

Obviously there are many people who like hotter climates. Good thing we have both in this country.

No one said it was an act. I said little regard for how weather might impact others. For example, a real estate agent or someone who works in tourism, might only see the positives while there have been posters who chose to move away from western Washington because they truly could not handle the weather and darkness in the winter. Moving is expensive, better to have a clear picture before doing so.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Seacove

No one said it was an act. I said little regard for how weather might impact others. For example, a real estate agent or someone who works in tourism, might only see the positives while there have been posters who chose to move away from western Washington because they truly could not handle the weather and darkness in the winter. Moving is expensive, better to have a clear picture before doing so.

I think its perfectly fine to warm someone of the colder, darker winter weather and the SAD that 'some' experience because of it. I know when we moved here from a sunnier environment we had the same concern. I also felt as a newbie that perhaps that stigma of a dark, depressing place was mostly what folks tended to focus on when describing the weather. So, moving to the PNW was more of a gamble from that perspective. I was unaware that the sun doesn't actually go into hiding for 9 months out the year. Hence, the impression I was given was actually skewed toward the more depressing side of things. It would have been nice if someone like Dianne shared real world examples for others to see vs. mostly hyperbole from the depressed or those not wanting more to move to area to raise their real estate values, increase traffic, etc...

I think its common knowledge that some in the PNW get SAD as a result of the weather. And for those its truly no fun. However, there are many others who enjoy the weather or at the very least endure some dark, cold winter days to enjoy the beauty the rest of the year. Having lived somewhere with near 'perfect' mild weather most of my life, I have really come to enjoy the unique climate which the PNW offers along with its incredible beauty as a result. It is truly a jewel of a place to experience, visit and live in even if not for everyone.

Derek

[dav51lin]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Seattle weather described in two words: mild usually.

mild wet windy dark mossy very dreary at times

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by mayfair

The closest rain shadow areas to Seattle are Whidbey Island, Camano Island and Anacortes (and the San Juans).

They still get windy, cloudy weather, same temp just less total rainfall. They do get more afternoon winter sunbreaks in my experience, but that's just anecdotal (don't know if stats back that up).

Both Seattle and Bellingham are in the rain shadow. If not, they'd be like:


Olympia 51"
Vancouver BC 47"

[pnwguy2]

I think this fact is somewhat misunderstood. Yes, Seattle is in the rain shadow but it only decreases rainfall by about 10-15 percent. Precipitation is common in Western Washington but there are differences throughout the region. For example, the area between north Seattle and Everett get much more precipitation than areas south of Seattle. And more snowfall. If you look at SeaTac south to Tacoma the snow values decrease.