Summer in the PNW (snowfall, average, temperatures, rainfall)
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I was heavy into backpacking and mountaineering in WA for years before moving north. Most years, I'd quit packing my ice axe for trips to the high country (>5000 ft) around mid-July. Snowmelt varies greatly from place to place and year to year though. Just be flexible when you get to town. The high country just east of the Cascade crest is well known for melting earlier than areas to the west. So if you get here and find snow where you want to hike, head over to the Teanaway River area near Cle Elum and Leavenworth, the mountains north of Lake Chelan, or the Pasayten Wilderness near Winthrop.
Also, in summer, Western Washington frequently gets a layer of low marine clouds that only extend up to 3, 4, or 5000 feet, so hikes in the high country are under sunny skies. Keep that in mind on a gray day in Seattle.
If you'd like recommendations for favorite hikes, PM me with what sort of outings you're looking for (dayhike? backpack? you in good shape?).
There is some debate as to if climate plays a role in social interaction in Seattle. Years ago I read that many high latitude/cloudy marine climates seem to have a higher number of people that suffer from social/mood disorders due to the lack of sunshine ( Vitamin D). Who knows how true that is though.
There is some debate as to if climate plays a role in social interaction in Seattle. Years ago I read that many high latitude/cloudy marine climates seem to have a higher number of people that suffer from social/mood disorders due to the lack of sunshine ( Vitamin D). Who knows how true that is though.
Fun article. Sounds like it's more than just climate (described London as less unfriendly).
I wonder if Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC have a similar culture?
Fun article. Sounds like it's more than just climate (described London as less unfriendly).
I wonder if Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC have a similar culture?
Yes, I would say people here are sometimes overly polite (letting you merge in traffic, cars stopping for jaywalkers etc.). Although I think it sounds like it's a bit easier here to breakthrough to people than what is written in that article. I wouldn't say we are the friendliest city by any means but it's certainly not that bad at least from my perspective.
There is a saying here ( mainly from people down south), that the further south you go, the friendlier people are. There could be some truth to that, although I never thought to attribute that to the not so nice climate.
^^ And the same in this country only in reverse: people up north are said to be friendlier and easier to talk to than in the south, certainly true in my experience, but that's probably more to do with going from a small village to a big anonymous city than anything to do with latitude/climate.
By far the most reserved people I've ever seen are Scandinavians (I've been to Norway and Finland). I went to an alcohol-free dinner party in Norway once and half the people there hardly said a word, even though they knew each other. On a long-distance train over there I found somebody from Greece sitting in my designated seat; he said he often sat in somebody else's seat as a way to break the ice in conversation when they came, because he couldn't cope with the idea of an eight-hour train ride in complete silence.
Quote: It's expected to be the latest reopening in 20 years; the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin clearing the North Cascades Highway on Monday.
I've checked the weather forecast for Seattle, it seems constantly cool and wet. I though Seattle would be as warm as Western MA in April with a decent amount of sunny days. Hope this trend ends so snow will melt.
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