"300 Days of Sunshine" - NOT true! (Seattle, Richland: 2015, living in)

[Moon Waffle]

The TC likes to tout itself as having "300 Days of Sunshine" per year. It's one of the selling points of the area. You'll hear this quoted all over the place - from residents, news reports, advertisements, publications, etc, etc, etc.

Funny thing is - you'll never see any actual data to support this claim. You could just as easily make some random statement that the TC has, say, "300 Days of Happiness" per year. You'd have about as much evidence to support it - which is to say, none.

First of all, I realize that technically a "day of sunshine" means that the sun only has to appear for a brief period of time for it to count....I lived in Seattle for many years and Puget Sound residents claim "days of sunshine" wherever they can, for obvious reasons.

However, after living in the TC for the past 12 years, there is no way that this area gets "300 Days of Sunshine" per year. One only need spend a winter here (especially Dec - Feb) to fully realize this fact. They are very gloomy, gray, with frequent Inversions that last for days on end. Spring sees quite a few gray days as well. And above all these casual observations, despite the repeated mantra from the areas' residents, you will never find any study that has actually been done to prove "300 Days of Sunshine". You'd think that, for something touted so frequently, somebody somewhere would have actually done their homework to substantiate such a prominent, frequently cited claim.

Is the TC weather among the best in the entire Northwest? Absolutely.

Are there truly "300 days of Sunshine"? No way.

[pnwguy2]

You answered your own question, twice. "Best weather in the Northwest? Absolutely."

"300 days of sunshine? No way."

But here are some things to keep in mind. Precipitation is among the lowest in the Northwest. And while almost everyone is getting snowfall in Eastern Washington, the Tri-Cities usually avoids it, and if they do get it, (as has happened a couple of times this season), it melts away within 24-48 hours. I moved here from a Rocky Mountain climate about a year ago. I have rarely needed to wear my winter coat. Last winter was warm and dry for the most part, and this winter is a bit more typical, but still pleasant compared with most regions around us. El Nino has brought more rain than usual, but I fully expect the dry climate to reappear by mid-Spring.

[atchn]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

You answered your own question, twice. "Best weather in the Northwest? .....

I don't know - I find the winters here far more difficult than on the west side. At least over there it is green during the winter. Here when you get those week-long inversions, it is like the color has been sucked out of everything.

[pnwguy2]

I hear you on that, but not being rained on everytime you step outside is a plus. The rain makes everything colder. I kind of like that element lacking here...

[pnwguy2]

I have been keeping track of February temps in the Tri, and for the first 17 days here is what we have had:

48-43-42-52-52-51-51-52-52-48-54-55-54-59-64-62-58.

With more of the same in the forecast. Not bad for winter. And yes, I have too much time on my hands.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

I have been keeping track of February temps in the Tri, and for the first 17 days here is what we have had:

48-43-42-52-52-51-51-52-52-48-54-55-54-59-64-62-58.

With more of the same in the forecast. Not bad for winter. And yes, I have too much time on my hands.

Well you didn't record temps, precip, elevation, wind gusts and cloudiness for all three cities That could take some time.

Also, I haven't had time to post about the snow melting too fast, but that is very real and usually causes flooding. BTW, from what source (s) do the farms that grow the foods, Conagra/Lamb Weston process and pack, get their water?

I laugh every time I see the 300 days of Sunshine. I'm not certain what CA, AZ and OR list, but every other western state makes the same claim of 300+ days of Sunshine.

The temps you listed seem pleasant and a good prep for the Summer highs.

Nice job

MSR

P.S Please feel free to post, research or explain in the NuScale/Areva/Fluor thread

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

Well you didn't record temps, precip, elevation, wind gusts and cloudiness for all three cities That could take some time.

Also, I haven't had time to post about the snow melting too fast, but that is very real and usually causes flooding. BTW, from what source (s) do the farms that grow the foods, Conagra/Lamb Weston process and pack, get their water?

I laugh every time I see the 300 days of Sunshine. I'm not certain what CA, AZ and OR list, but every other western state makes the same claim of 300+ days of Sunshine.

The temps you listed seem pleasant and a good prep for the Summer highs.

Nice job

MSR

P.S Please feel free to post, research or explain in the NuScale/Areva/Fluor thread

Well, I am a complete idiot when it comes to NuScale/Areva/Fluor...not my area of expertise.

I do love weather, as you can probably tell. And you are correct, a good prep for summer, as temps in the Tri-Cities reached over 100 20+ times in 2015, including a stretch of 12 straight days of 100+ from June 25th through July 6th.*

*actually one day during this stretch was 99

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

"Well, I am" (I won't accept what you wrote because I know it isn't the truth!) Words like not very familiar with the companies etc. are far more accurate than the other word. "When it comes to NuScale/Areva/Fluor...not my area of expertise". Good answer. Given the DOE press release yesterday selecting INL for fabrication and assembly etc., Richland/T-C have a few years until the fuel rods are built in Richland. TRIDEC probably isn't really happy, though.......

I do love weather, as you can probably tell. One of those *quirky things* that makes you know different information and more interesting. And you are correct, a good prep for summer, as temps in the Tri-Cities reached over 100 20+ times in 2015, including a stretch of 12 straight days of 100+ from June 25th through July 6th.* Well I hope you kept really detailed notes about the last third of July. Some of those days are really important

*actually one day during this stretch was 99

Thanks. New education for me. I'd never thought of adding a * or number etc. at the end of a post. More your expertise than mine

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

Which season has the worst wind? Or is it an ongoing thing that depends on the day? Sometimes wind can be a positive to move inversions out.

I can't remember if the Tri-Cities area gets inversions normally or not. I thought I read comments about inversions this year, but I might be confusing the T-C weather vs. another city's weather I'm following

MSR

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by Mtn. States Resident

Which season has the worst wind? Or is it an ongoing thing that depends on the day? Sometimes wind can be a positive to move inversions out.

I can't remember if the Tri-Cities area gets inversions normally or not. I thought I read comments about inversions this year, but I might be confusing the T-C weather vs. another city's weather I'm following

MSR

Yes, it gets both inversions and wind. The wind is a feature almost year round, but during the summer is usually not a concern except if it kicks up dust.