Climate

You’ve no doubt heard the old adage, “it rains in Seattle.” While that is true, Seattle does not hold the position of wettest city in the US. Not even close.

King County’s climate is mild and moderately moist, averaging 154 days a year with precipitation of some sort. Winters are comparatively warm with mild, temperate summers. The average summer temperature is 64 degrees, and temperatures climb over 90 degrees only a few days per year. During the winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing (only about 15 days per year). The area’s wet season extends from October through April, during which 82% of annual rainfall occurs (about 35″ a year). Heavy rainfall is rather rare; instead the area experiences a stable level of light rain throughout the winter.

Annual Precipitation in Inches

City/State                   Precipitation in Inches          Number of Days

Atlanta, GA                 50.2                                         115
Boston, MA                42.5                                         124
Chicago, IL                 36.3                                         124
Houston, TX               47.8                                         100
Los Angeles, CA         13.2                                         34
New York, NY                        49.7                                         120
Phoenix, AZ                  8.3                                         35
Seattle, WA                 37.1                                         154