Even though Western Washington has a reputation for its abundance of rain, Port Angeles sits in what’s called a rain shadow — or the “banana belt” of Washington.
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Is Sequim in the banana belt?
Sequim is within a rain shadow and is THE prime location within Washington State’s Banana Belt. We will try and help you find your perfect property in Sequim and the surrounding areas. We also serve the Port Angeles area as well. The Sequim area has the driest Pacific Coast climate north of Los Angeles, California.
Does Washington state have a banana belt?
But thanks to a little something called the Olympic Rain Shadow, there’s one spot in Washington that’s almost guaranteed to be rain-free: Sequim! Often called Washington’s “Banana Belt,” it’s a great spot for a quick trip if you need a little Vitamin D.
What is the sunniest city in Washington state?
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.
What city in Washington gets the least rain?
This driest area centers around Sequim, which appears to be the driest town in all of Western Washington, with a bare 16 inches of yearly rainfall.
Is Port Townsend in the banana belt?
One of our highlights along the Banana Belt was definitely Port Townsend. It is a quaint seaside town with a number of great places to eat.And Port Townsend had plenty of long beaches to walk as well as the Olympic Discovery Trail to bike off the calories.
Is Port Townsend in rain shadow?
The Olympic Rain Shadow is a small region northwest of the city of Seattle which experiences significantly dryer and brighter weather than surrounding locations. The rain shadow encompasses the towns of Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Coupeville, and Victoria BC, as well as much of the San Juan Islands.
Is Whidbey Island in the banana belt?
From the middle of Whidbey and north, the islands are in the same banana belt.
Is Camano Island in the banana belt?
It’s the best of both worlds. The rain shadow is also referred to as the Banana Belt because of the shape of the rain shadow on meteorological images. The rainfall in this area is represented in yellow and the shape of Camano Island is curved like a banana!
What is the warmest place in Washington State?
Hottest temperature ever recorded: 118°F at Ice Harbor Dam on 5 August 1961 and at Wahluke on 24 July 1928. Lowest temperature ever recorded: -48°F at Mazama and Winthrop on 30 December 1968.
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.
What is the best town to live in Washington state?
10 best places to live in Washington State
- Olympia. The capital city has a lot going on.
- Spokane. On the eastern edge of Washington State is the lovely Spokane Valley, filled with mountain lakes, waterfalls, and wineries.
- Bellingham.
- Redmond.
- Issaquah.
- Kirkland.
- Walla Walla.
- Mercer Island.
Where is the best climate in Washington state?
Chelan, Tri-cities, and Spokane are highly favored for weather. Most cities west of the Cascade mountain range get a fair vit of rain.
What is the coldest city in Washington state?
Geography and climate
Winthrop and Mazama recorded the coldest temperature ever measured in Washington state at –48 °F (–44.4 °C) on December 30, 1968.
What city in Washington state has the best year round weather?
Tacoma, WA
Despite the Pacific Northwest’s reputation for rain, Tacoma has some of the best weather in the U.S.—it actually receives less rainfall each year on average than other major U.S. cities like Houston and New York!
Where is the wettest place in Washington state?
Aberdeen Reservoir
The town of Forks, at the northwest corner of Washington State’s Olympic Penninsula, is where people living in this region endure the greatest amount of rain.
Highest Total Precipitation.
| Place | Inches | Millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Reservoir, Washington | 130.6 | 3317 |
| Laurel Mountain, Oregon | 122.3 | 3106 |
| Forks, Washington | 119.7 | 3041 |
Where are there rain shadows in the US?
Some examples of rain shadow deserts in North America include:
- The dry basins east of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon.
- The Great Basin of Nevada and Utah, east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
- The Colorado Front Range, east of the Rocky Mountains.
Is Camano Island in the rain shadow?
This special haven in the classically rainy, overcast State of Washington is actually a great location for a beach house thanks to the mountain ranges stretching along the Pacific Coast, which put Camano Island right in the middle of a rain shadow.
Where does the term banana belt come from?
The prevailing winds usually come from the west. When they hit the Rocky Mountains, the air gets pushed up forming rain or snow. As the air moves down the slope on the other side, the air pressure rises, which causes warming and drying. This climate can be described as a “rain shadow,” or a “banana belt.”
Is Redmond sunnier than Seattle?
– Redmond has % more rainy days than Seattle. – Redmond has % Sunny Days than Seattle.
Is Port Townsend worth visiting?
If ever there was a beautiful, must-visit American town, Port Townsend, Washington has to be it. Located at the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula on the Puget Sound, Port Townsend experiences a temperate climate year-round and is best known for its Victorian architecture and natural beauty.
