how far east do I have to go for sunshine?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Ole Texan

A bit more of a drive, but grab a plane to Austin. December is almost always sunny, highs in the 70 to 80 range with lows in the 50s to 60s. Plus a great place to visit.

I'm a prairie kid with 30+ yrs of sun deprivation...
so, in winter... I am gone FAR more than home in WA.

usually I go WEST (Thailand, Malaysia, China)

but for closer to home.
(one-way fares)
$57 got me a flight to San Diego last week
$87 to Austin / San Antonio this week

I often go to Sacramento for $39 - $59

I rent a Priceline car ~ $12 / day and stay in private guest homes ($10- $20 / night world wide) I eat on $5/day via grocery stores.

Cheaper than staying home in WA, (where my property taxes are $33/day). No breakfast or internet included

[xboxmas]

South is probably the way to go if you want to see sunshine(aka southern california). Eastern Washington is cold in the winter and overcast much of the time(although not drizzly like Western Washington).

[Hemlock140]

You may not find the sun anywhere in the state in December or January. After that, though, just take the ferry across to Bainbridge, then drive up through Poulsbo, across the Hood Canal bridge and into Sequim. If you stay there overnight you will see the sun. It may only be for an hour or two in the afternoon, but it does come out almost every day. Whidbey Island is similar.

[Tall Tiger]

Originally Posted by civic94

so im guessing having clouds over seattle actually makes it warmer? more like a blanket?

The Pacific Ocean water temp is about upper 50's and we get a westerly wind pattern....the Cascade Mountain range holds those moist but more temperate air between the Mountains and the Puget Sound and also prevents the colder (in winter) interior air from travelling freely to Seattle area. This also keeps temps mild in the summer.