Extremes in both summer and winter temperatures generally occur when the inland basin is under the influence of air from over the continent. East of the Cascades, summers are warmer, winters are colder and precipitation is less than in western Washington.
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How is the climate different in Eastern Washington than in Western Washington?
While the west half of the state is located in a rainy oceanic climate, the eastern half receives little rainfall due to the rainshadow created by the Cascade Mountains. Also, due to being farther from the sea, the east side has both hotter summers and colder winters than the west.
What part of Washington is the warmest?
PROSSER, Wash. – As Washington state emerges from its most blistering summer on record, the state’s hottest place was, ironically, an area known for giant irrigation sprinklers and well-tended orchards and vineyards.
Why is Eastern Washington so dry?
In Washington, storms usually move in off the Pacific Ocean and travel over Seattle and the rest of the Puget Sound before slamming into the western slopes of the Cascades. This is called the windward side of the mountains.This process results in a rain shadow desert for the eastern half of Washington.
What’s the weather like in eastern Washington?
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Lows in the lower to mid 40s. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
What type of climate does Western Washington have?
Western Washington
West of the Cascade Mountains, summers are cool and comparatively dry and winters are mild, wet and cloudy. The average number of clear or only partly cloudy days each month varies from four to eight in winter, eight to 15 in spring and fall, and 15 to 20 in summer.
How hot does it get in Eastern Washington?
Overall Eastern Washington Travel Experience by Season
Highs range from 71.8°F (22.1°C) and 41.2°F (5.1°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 3 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month.
What is the driest city in Washington state?
Sequim
In western Washington, the driest location is the rainshadow of the Olympics, where some locations, such as Sequim, enjoy 15-17 inches of precipitation per year.
Which city in Washington has the best weather?
Why Does Friday Harbor Have the Best Weather? Since the weather in Washington state can range from burning hot summers to below freezing winters, the city with the best weather is certainly the city with the mildest weather. Friday Harbor has the best weather in Washington because it has: 157 sunny days per years.
Why is Eastern Washington a desert?
High Desert Environment of Eastern Washington
Thanks to the tall peaks of the Cascades, Washington experiences a massive rain shadow, allowing for a particularly dry climate throughout the entire eastern side of the state, the place to go for summer river rafting, mountain biking, and year-round rock climbing.
Why is Washington so Rainy?
Wet Weather of the Pacific Northwest
Low pressure systems are one of the main reasons the Pacific Northwest is so wet and rainy. Building in the Gulf of Alaska, these storms barrel right toward Oregon, Washington, and Canada, dumping condensation on the way.
What is the sunniest city in Washington?
Sequim
Sequim, Washington
If you’re looking to stay somewhat local, consider a trip to Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula. We know what you’re thinking: There’s no way to escape the cloud cover for hundreds of miles, but as it turns out, Sequim is the sunniest place in Western Washington.
Why is Eastern Washington so windy?
When winds turn onshore, higher pressure along the coast forces cooler, moist ocean air inland toward lower pressure east of the Cascades.That’s why…and when…it’s often windy in that area.
How cold does Eastern Washington get?
Summer days rarely rise above 79° (26° C) and winter days are seldom below 45° (8° C) during the day. Snow is rare, but winter temperatures can easily dip into the 20s and 30s (-6° to -1° C) at night. Annual rainfall in the greater Seattle area is about 37 inches (94 cm).
Does Eastern Washington get snow?
The tables below give yearly averages for snowfall at cities, towns and parks in Washington.
Eastern Washington State.
| Days | 22.6 |
|---|---|
| Place | Wenatchee |
| Inches | 33.0 |
| Centimetres | 83.8 |
Does Washington have a temperate climate?
The Weather in Washington
In general, the western part of the state tends to be humid, mild and altogether temperate, whereas Eastern Washington is characterized by a much drier, cooler climate. Summer days west of the Cascades rarely rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter is fairly pleasant.
What climate zone is Washington State?
Washington growing zones are wide-ranging and can be anywhere from 4a to 9a, although much of the state falls into the 6a (on the eastern half of the state) to 9a (on the western half) range.
Is Seattle Eastern or Western Washington?
Western Washington is a region of the United States defined as the area of Washington state west of the Cascade Mountains. This region is home to the state’s largest city, Seattle, the state capital, Olympia, and most of the state’s residents.
Why is it so hot in Washington?
Why is it so hot? The region is experiencing what is called a heat dome. A giant zone of high pressure over the region is compressing the air and generating heat underneath it. In addition, the winds are coming from the East, bringing in inland heat.
Why is it so hot in Washington state?
Heat domes, or sprawling ridges of high pressure, are a staple of summertime.The high-pressure system has been centered near the international border, with clockwise flow around it bringing easterly winds for much of the Columbia River Basin and, broadly, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Is Washington hot or cold?
The climate of Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia), the US federal capital, is semi-continental, with cold winters and hot and muggy summers. The city is located on the 38th parallel, in a way, between the cold and the warm part of the United States.
