Does it snow in Seattle? (Tacoma, Rainier: schools, bills, suburbs)

[zulubanshee]

Just wondering what I can expect in the winter.

[pw72]

Yes and no. Snowfall in Seattle is quite variable. Some years, like this past winter, had virtually no snow. Other winters get one or two storms that might leave a half-foot at a time. Seems like there was more in the 50's/60's, from what my relatives say. Completely unpredictable from year to year. However, El Nino years, (like last season) tend to bring less.

[lovingthegreen]

I spent three years in Tacoma in the early part of the decade (2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03) and 2-3 times there was a dusting that melted by the afternoon. And that was it. There was nothing this past winter. But there was a ton last winter (2008-09). So yes, you never know what you're going to get year to year. But generally speaking it's usually a few light dustings to nothing.

While Seattle itself usually gets very little-to no snow a year, a few hours away is one of the snowiest places in America!(Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges) Some places there even have world records for snow. It can even snow late spring-early fall in the highest elevations there.

[sean98125]

You can typically expect one or two snow events that drop an inch or two of snow on the ground and that bring the city and suburbs to a shuddering halt. The snow will typically melt off in a day or two. Expect local schools to close if there is even a hint of snow in the forecast, regardless of whether or not any snow actually falls.

Every few years, you can expect a more significant snowfall or series of snowfalls that drop several inches with snow that lingers for several days.

In winter, you can expect low hanging clouds, less daylight than most cities in the 48, and drizzly rain. There will be periods of several days here and there where the temperatures are cold (in the 20s) but the sun is out, and you'll of breathtaking views of the Cascades and Olympics.

NaturalUrbanBalance is right about high snowfall in the Cascades. It isn't unusual for Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker to get as much as 1000 inches of snow over the winter.

[Gentoo]

Ha! The Sierra's beat the Cascades with snowfall.

[sean98125]

The Sierras certainly do on average - the Cascades aren't nearly as high as the Sierra Nevada range. But Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker create their own weather patterns and have the highest annual snowfall averages in the United States (including Alaska).

[Redline]

Was it 2008 that we had those snowstorms? Maybe 2 months worth? The last winter we had it barely dropped below 50. I would say on avg maybe 2 weeks worth total.

[seattlenextyear]

Yes, it was Dec 2008.

[toughguy]

This last winter there was zero accumulated snowfall. The winter before that, there was a monumental, once-every-half century snow storm (roughly equal to what the east coast experienced this last winter). Typically though, it may snow once or twice a winter, and will last maybe 2-3 days each time.

I get the feeling that people unfamiliar with the PNW climate just assume that it snows alot here, because of the northern latitude. I remember reading a prominent NFL analyst's mock draft predicting that the Buffalo Bills would most likely draft UW QB Jake Locker first overall in the 2011 draft. One of his reasons that he felt it would be a good fit was because of the "weather similarities between Buffalo and Seattle" (paraphrased, he said something like "You won't find -15F weather in Jacksonville..."). I had to laugh and assume he's never traveled to Seattle.