Which climate do you prefer, Chelan or Stehekin, WA? (snow, warm, days)
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This one is a bit different than the usual climate battles is that they're rather similar to each other and close to each other geographically. Mostly making this thread for the geography. Lake Chelan is a 50 mile long lake in inland Washington. The town of Chelan is at the eastern end. The tiny town of Stehkin at the other western end. Here's an image of the boat dock at Chelan:
and a bit out of town:
Now here's Stehekin by its boat dock. Landscape reminded me more of California than western Washington:
not far away to the west, Mt. McGregor rises about 6800 feet above the valley, one of the larger rises in the lower 48 states:
On the boat, the staff told us they had one passenger ask how much higher in elevation Stehekin is than Chelan! They are, of course, the same elevation. Stehekin is closer to he crest of the Cascades, which is about 18 miles further west. From the crest looking towards Stehekin with a native in view:
Anyhow which do you prefer? No sunshine available but if you dig into the links I posted you can get the precipitation days. (> 0.01"), 104 days for Stehekin, 70 for Chelan. for (> 0.1"), 73 days for Stehekin, 33 days for Chelan.
If I ever make it to the US then Washington would definitely be on my 'must-visit' list as the geography seems endlessly fascinating. Judging by those photos and climates, it looks like a great outdoors kind of place year-round. That second photo looks more like Western territory than what I'd think of when I think of Washington. I don't think so much of arid landscapes though, so I would have to go for Stehekin. Stehekin I'd give a B, Chelan a C- (an extra negative is the noticeably warmer summer lows).
Beautiful pictures. When I lived in Seattle, I used to go to eastern WA to dry out but unfortunately I never made it to Stehekin. I prefer Chelan's climate, but I find the precipitation difference interesting. Since both towns are on the same lake, they must be at the same elevation and yet Stehekin has three times the precipitation. Presumably the lake cuts through some pretty high mountains that increase the rain shadow effect on Chelan.
Stehekin both for climate and the amazing scenery, seems like Stehekin still gets a fair amount of orographic precipitation whereas Chelan is firmly in the rain shadow of the range.
Beautiful pictures. When I lived in Seattle, I used to go to eastern WA to dry out but unfortunately I never made it to Stehekin. I prefer Chelan's climate, but I find the precipitation difference interesting. Since both towns are on the same lake, they must be at the same elevation and yet Stehekin has three times the precipitation. Presumably the lake cuts through some pretty high mountains that increase the rain shadow effect on Chelan.
They two are 50 some miles apart from each other and some areas of lake Chelan are literally fjords. Very steep hills and cliffs rising up from each side of the lake.
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