Key Points. Seattle’s weather is regulated by the Pacific Ocean, which remains relatively even in temperature throughout the year. Occasionally, cold air from the interior of the continent pushes into the Puget Sound region and causes dramatic cold spells, ice, and snow.
Why is there so much snow in Seattle?
Seattle’s winter weather is limited greatly by the Pacific Ocean, where temperatures stay fairly even throughout the year. But every now and then, cold air gets pushed into the region, giving rise to cold spells and even snow.
Is Seattle getting more snow?
Seattle ‘not likely’ to see repeat of 2021’s record-shattering February snow. The month of February has brought record snowfall to the Seattle area in two out of the last three years. But if current forecasts hold up, the region isn’t likely to see a repeat performance in 2022.
What month does Seattle get the most snow?
January
The month with the most snow in Seattle is January, with an average snowfall of 1.2 inches. The snowless period of the year lasts for 11 months, from January 20 to December 12. The least snow falls around July 1, with an average total accumulation of 0.0 inches.
Why does Seattle have rare snow?
Due to its heat-retaining properties, water also tends to hold heat longer as the transition from summer to winter occurs. This physics coupled with the geography of Seattle is critical for explaining the relative lack of snow there.
When was the last big snowstorm in Seattle?
Seattle – Extreme Daily Snowfall for Each Year
| Inches | Date | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | December 21, 2020 + | 1.3 |
| 6.4 | February 08, 2019 | 16.3 |
| 1.0 | February 21, 2018 | 2.5 |
| 5.1 | February 06, 2017 | 13.0 |
Is Seattle getting sunnier?
SEATTLE — Over the last decade, Western Washington’s climate has become both warmer and wetter, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The federal agency updates its 30-year “climate normals” report every decade, and the latest includes changes analyzed from 2010 to 2020.
Will it snow again in Seattle 2022?
November 2021 to October 2022. Winter temperatures will be milder than normal, with below-normal precipitation and snowfall.
Is Seattle a depressing place to live?
Even in normal times, some people who live in Seattle start to feel down around this time of the year. The gray and drizzle has set in, and we can look forward to six more months of it. But 2020 is anything but normal.
Will it be a hot summer 2022 Seattle?
Coming off of a hot, record-breaking summer in 2021, summer 2022 looks to feature above-average temperatures with below-average precipitation.
Does Seattle ever freeze?
Only once a year on average does the temperature remain below freezing for the entire day. The thermometer dips to freezing or below on 25 nights each year. Seattle gets as chilly as 20 °F (-8 °C) on average just once a year.
How safe is Seattle?
Seattle is one of the safest of America’s larger cities. It’s a pretty walkable place where you’re not likely to encounter a high level of violent or even petty crime.
Why is there no AC in Seattle?
So why is Seattle among the least air-conditioned places in the country? Multiple factors play into it, such as Seattle landlord-tenant laws that don’t require air conditioning like they do heating. But local engineers said it comes down to cost effectiveness in a city with relatively mild year-round temperatures.
Whats the coldest it gets in Seattle?
0 °F
The hottest officially recorded temperature was 108 °F (42 °C) on June 28, 2021; the coldest recorded temperature was 0 °F (−18 °C) on January 31, 1950; the record cold daily maximum is 16 °F (−9 °C) on January 14, 1950, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 73 °F (23 °C) on June 27, 2021.
Does Seattle get more snow than Portland?
Seattle averages 4.6 inches of snow per year. Portland averages 2.6 inches of snow per year. The US average is 27.8 inches of snow per year.
Does Seattle get snow every year?
The US average is 205 sunny days. Seattle gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 155 days per year.
Climate Averages.
| Seattle, Washington | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Snowfall | 4.6 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 155.3 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 152 days | 205 days |
| Avg. July High | 75.8° | 85.8° |
Has Seattle ever had a blizzard?
Certainly, Seattle has had more snowier days in its history with records showing some events piling up well over a foot of snow. Jan. 13, 1950 holds the daily record at Sea-Tac Airport at 20 inches and there were blizzards in 1880 and 1916 that had reports of well over 2-3 feet in the city.
How many inches of snow is Seattle getting?
Seattle averages just 6.3 inches of snow a winter, although several winters—especially during the 1950s and 60s—have seen much more. Seattle’s official snowfall records were taken at Sea-Tac Airport from 1945 through the winter of 1995-96, and again from the winter of 2004-05 onward.
When was the worst blizzard in Washington state?
The January 2012 Pacific Northwest snowstorm was a large extratropical cyclone that brought record snowfall to the Pacific Northwest in January 2012.
January 2012 Pacific Northwest snowstorm.
| Satellite view of Oregon and Washington on January 23, 2012, showing clouds and snow | |
|---|---|
| Power outages | 200,000 |
What is the rainiest month in Seattle?
November
A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months: January, March, November and December. On average, November is the wettest month with 6.4 inch (162 mm) of precipitation. On average, July is the driest month with 0.6 inch (16 mm) of precipitation.
What will global warming do to Seattle?
Sea-Level Rise
Climate change is expected to accelerate rising sea levels during the next century. Central estimates indicate that Seattle will experience 10 inches of sea-level rise by 2050, and 28 inches by 2100, and 47 inches by 2150.