Winter (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett: home, live, cabin)

[everwinter]

I'm planning for my next contract assignment which will start in January.
I'm considering staying in Wisconsin, going back to New Mexico, or Washington. I spent last winter in NM, but the desert didn't do it for me. The sun everyday got old, & it was too dead & dry. I want some snow, rain, clouds, some winter. Last year I spent Memorial day to Halloween in Tacoma & loved it. The traffic & heavy population did get to me though. I've researched some, but I'm wondering what the winter is really like. Last I checked positions were available in Everett, Tacoma, & Renton.

Is hiking/running on trails in the mountains accessible or are they all snow covered?
Do you get much snow & does is stay? I see Everett gets about 30" which is a pretty good amount
Ice?
do you have plows or does the city come to a halt when you have snowstorms?
is the rain overrated? how often does the sun come out?
Thanks

[Ira500]

Snowstorms are rare, but if there's an inch of snow on the ground in downtown Seattle, things pretty much come to a grinding halt.
I hike pretty much year round, and snow is almost never a problem...If you go to the taller mountains, at least east of North Bend, you will encounter more snow...but the lower elevation mountains are almost always snow free...I hike a lot at Cougar and Squak mountains just outside of Issaquah, and they have organized trail running there.

[sean98125]

Things may grind to a halt if it snows in Seattle, but if you're in healthcare you're still expected to get to work.

[M3 Mitch]

Well, if snow, clouds, etc. is your thing, you will get that if you stay put.

Eastern WA has a grey, cool but not really cold winter, sometimes snow, occasionally quite a bit of snow. One New Years day recently we got almost 3 feet of snow in one day. To me that's a lot, if you are from Wisconsin it may not even be average.

Seattle area is more rainy than snowy, when they do get any snow or ice, the hilly terrain and lack of winter driving savvy amongst, well, almost everyone there means it's best to stay home if at all possible.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by everwinter

I want some...rain, clouds

Here is my gift to you:

YouTube - DAVID GATES - Suite: Clouds, Rain

[jamesandveybe]

I moved up to Seattle the same week my cousin moved from Seattle to the desert. Both of us couldn't be happier and wouldn't move back for anything. I lived close to Indio, CA where the Salton Sea made for a wicked combination of 120-130 degrees (below sea level) and salty humidity. Talk about gettin gburned out on "desert beauty." I have gone back twice since leaving, only for family, and would never live there again.

Sorry, I cannot compare Wisconsin to Seattle, other than to say we have fewer bugs here, less humidity in the summer and mountains that beckon admiration. Rain? Not that much, but we do get many cloudy days. If you are prone to cabin fever, don't come here. I myself love it here, love the rain and love clouds. If such preferences are wierd, gimme a sign to wear.

Like posted above, we don't get much snow, maybe five frozen road days per year.