DES MOINES WASHINGTON CLIMATE AND ACTIVITY CALENDAR

CLIMATE AND ACTIVITY CALENDAR for the greater Seattle Tacoma area

The Seattle Tacoma metropolitan region lies along the Eastern shore of Puget Sound, an inland arm of the Pacific Ocean.

This very large body of water contributes to our moderate maritime climate, while the rugged Olympic mountains to the west buffer us from wet winter storms off the ocean, and the Cascade range to the east acts as a barrier to the winter chill of eastern Washington, Idaho & Montana.

JANUARY often brings our coldest and sunniest winter days with average daytime highs of 47° and nighttime lows of 36°. Extremes could range 10 degrees warmer or cooler. Precipitation for the month averages 5.04 inches. Boating is an extremely popular year-round activity.

FEBRUARY warms a little to an average high of 50° and low of 37°. Precipitation averages 4.44 inches. The first of the spring buds begin to open. It is possible to have a few inches of late snow, gone within a day or two. The average year produces a total of about 2 to 5 days of snow.

MARCH brings us to averages of 55° and 39° with about 3.78 inches of rain. We’re cleaning up yards from winter’s effects and enjoying early crocuses and new growth.

Skiers continue to traverse the many ski slopes, all within about an hour’s drive. Skiing generally begins during November and lasts into April. The reknowned slopes of Whistler B.C., Canada are about a four hour drive to the north.

APRIL Spring showers produce glorious flowers. The average high & low are 60° and 43° with 2.48 inches of rain. We average less than 10 inches of rain between April 1st and October 1st.

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival offers two weeks of opportunity to take a one day vacation an hour north of Seattle.

Stroll through brilliant fields of multi-colored Tulips and display gardens which rival those seen in Holland. Terrific photo opportunities.

MAY Often provides an enticing preview of summer. Averages of 66° can become highs of the 75+. Rain is less than 2 inches. Frost is behind us.

Golfing is a year-round activity. Majestic 14,408 ft. Mount Rainier provides a spectacular backdrop.

Those not golfing may be preparing for summer vacations, or enjoying a three day weekend at the ocean and rain forest.

JUNE Average highs of 71°, cool nights with lows in the 50s. Sunset at 10:00 p.m. during the summer months.

Escape on U.S. and Canadian ferrys to the serene beauty of the San Juan Islands or Canadian Gulf islands. Step into “Olde England” with a visit to Victoria B.C. on Vancouver island. A great way to enjoy a weekend.

JULY Average high 76° with some days in the 80s, nighttime low 55°, less than 1 inch of rain. Low summer energy bills since we do not need air conditioning in our homes. Humidity? What’s that? Mid-July to Mid-August is filled with community celebrations, carnivals, parades, arts & crafts events, fun runs, picnics, boat races.

AUGUST Average high of 76° and low of 55°. Slightly over one inch of rain. Highs will be in the 80s. Some years will include a handful of days in the 90s.

Alpine meadows in the Cascade range and on Mt. Rainier are filled with wildflowers in late July and August. Start early, stop for breakfast in Enumclaw. Hike trails through old growth forests. Picnic at Paradise Lodge, enjoy the fabulous views and interpretive center. Well-groomed trails lead to the face of Nisqually Glacier, an easy hike with many resting places. A great one-day getaway.
NOTE: Weather information is based on the National Weather Service 30 year average through 2000, taken at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Statistics are in Farenheit and inches.

SEPTEMBER Average high and low of 71° and 51° with 1.66 inches of rain. It can be a sunny extension of summer, or the first indicator of a change in season.

School is back in session, football practice has begun. The Western Washington “Puyallup” Fair will draw huge crowds and provide a great showcase for the gardening, farming and homemaking talents of all ages, along with carnival, rodeo and stage performances.

Historic Port Townsend will be having their Wooden Boat Festival.

OCTOBER Average high and low of 61° and 45° with 3.25 inches of rain.

Pumpkins are ripening in the fields. Huckleberry and Vine Maple are taking on brilliant color in the mountains. Light rains keep everything fresh. It is dark after dinner, many people are taking an evening class, working on a favorite project, have season tickets for the theatre or sporting events, spend family time with the children, light the fireplace, turn on favorite music, reach for a good book.

NOVEMBER Average high and low of 51° and 39° with 5.77 inches of precipitation. We may have had frost by now, and some blustery wet storms, possibly a little snow for a day or two.

In mild years there may be no snow at all except in the mountains, where ski season begins sometime after Halloween, usually by Thanksgiving, and lasts into April.

Just as there is no excessive heat or humidity in the summer, we also do not have Tornados, Hurricanes or Blizzards.

DECEMBER Average high and low of 47° and 36° with 5.61 inches of precipitation.

For the last several years our winters have been mild, with daytime December temperatures up to 60 degrees. A few summer annuals often continue to bloom during the winter holidays.

Some years we have no local snow. Most years we will have 6 or 8 inches for a day or two, but the ground usually isn’t frozen so it doesn’t last long. Once every 5 to 8 years we have about 12 inches for almost a week. Ski slopes are just an hour away.

All photos and content courtesy of Relocation Specialist ~ Carmen Scott ©