The mountains can get up to 200 inches (508 cm) of snowfall a year, creating a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. The Cascades capture most of the rain that would otherwise fall in Eastern Washington. Just as the Pacific Ocean and Olympic Mountains influence Western Washington, the Cascade Range affects the weather and climate in the eastern part of the state. Rainier, one of the tallest peaks in the continental United States, commands the view to the south. The region is surrounded on all sides by mountains: the Olympic range to the west, Cascade range to the east, Mt. Few homes have air-conditioning.įrom most vantage points in the greater Seattle area, you can readily see evidence of the geologic upheaval that forged Washington’s magnificent features over thousands of years. July and August are the driest months in Western Washington January and February the wettest. The Pacific Ocean creates a marine layer where clouds are frequent in the winter, spring and fall, but several days of steady rain is the exception rather than the rule. Annual rainfall in the greater Seattle area is about 37 inches (94 cm). Snow is rare, but winter temperatures can easily dip into the 20s and 30s (-6° to -1° C) at night. Summer days rarely rise above 79° (26° C) and winter days are seldom below 45° (8° C) during the day. The weather is relatively mild in Western Washington. The result is a landscape that is ever changing and often breathtaking. This same glacial activity also created the many islands that dot the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. This includes the three lakes that dictate the geography of the greater Seattle metropolitan area: Lakes Union, Washington and Sammamish. Western Washington is hilly and even mountainous in places with lots of rivers and lakes. Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver and Bellingham are all located on the west side of the state.Īs the glaciers retreated during the last ice age, they carved their memories into the land. Western Washington is the most densely populated approximately 60% of the state’s population lives west of the mountains. The Cascade Mountain Range divides the state into two parts – Western Washington and Eastern Washington. While it’s tempting to delve deep into the geology that created such a diverse landscape over thousands of years, we’ll focus on the two distinct sides of the state since the geology not only drives the geography, but also the climate. Washington has seven distinct physiographic regions, from the rugged Pacific coastline and soaring volcanic peaks of the Cascades to the fertile fields of the Columbia Basin. The state’s geography is diverse and spectacular at almost every turn. cities, getting less rainfall annually than Boston, New York, Houston and Miami. While there is a somewhat common perception that it rains all the time in Washington, Seattle actually ranks 44th among major U.S. While January, February, March, November and December tend to showcase less optimal conditions.įor an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Spokane Valley climate page with graphs.When it comes to climate and geography, Washington State is a study in contrasts. May, June, July, August and September generally stand out with the best circumstances. If your ideal day consists of dry skies and moderate temperatures This amount of sunlight does not only brightens the days but also contributes to a cheerful ambiance in the area during this month. The days are predominantly sunny, with an estimated total of around 242 hours of sunshine. When we look at the climate data from the last 30 years, we can expect around 13 days of rain. Looking to travel to Spokane Valley in April?Ĭheck out this comprehensive weather guide.ĭaytime temperatures hover around 14☌ ( show in ☏),Īveraging around 33 mm ( show in inches) for the month. Spokane Valley weather in April (Washington State, United States of America)
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