In Spokane, which marks the eastern edge of the state, rainfall averages 15 to 30 inches (38 to 76 cm) a year. In the center part of the state, the climate is a blend of coastal and continental weather and rainfall is approximately 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) annually. Annual rainfall is far less than in Western Washington. In the shadow of the Cascades, little rain falls and cities like Wenatchee, Ellensburg and the Tri-Cities enjoy up to 300 days of sunshine a year. The mountains can get up to 200 inches (508 cm) of snowfall a year, creating a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. The Cascades capture most of the rain that would otherwise fall in Eastern Washington. Just as the Pacific Ocean and Olympic Mountains influence Western Washington, the Cascade Range affects the weather and climate in the eastern part of the state. Rainier, one of the tallest peaks in the continental United States, commands the view to the south. The region is surrounded on all sides by mountains: the Olympic range to the west, Cascade range to the east, Mt. Few homes have air-conditioning.įrom most vantage points in the greater Seattle area, you can readily see evidence of the geologic upheaval that forged Washington’s magnificent features over thousands of years. July and August are the driest months in Western Washington January and February the wettest. The Pacific Ocean creates a marine layer where clouds are frequent in the winter, spring and fall, but several days of steady rain is the exception rather than the rule. Annual rainfall in the greater Seattle area is about 37 inches (94 cm). Snow is rare, but winter temperatures can easily dip into the 20s and 30s (-6° to -1° C) at night. Summer days rarely rise above 79° (26° C) and winter days are seldom below 45° (8° C) during the day. The weather is relatively mild in Western Washington. The result is a landscape that is ever changing and often breathtaking. This same glacial activity also created the many islands that dot the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. This includes the three lakes that dictate the geography of the greater Seattle metropolitan area: Lakes Union, Washington and Sammamish. Western Washington is hilly and even mountainous in places with lots of rivers and lakes. Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver and Bellingham are all located on the west side of the state.Īs the glaciers retreated during the last ice age, they carved their memories into the land. Western Washington is the most densely populated approximately 60% of the state’s population lives west of the mountains. The Cascade Mountain Range divides the state into two parts – Western Washington and Eastern Washington. Live Science writer Bahar Gholipour contributed reporting.Įditor's Note: If you have an amazing weather or general science photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Jeanna Bryner at. Unstable, stormy weather continues today in Tehran, according to local media. He took the photo of the storm using a Canon 7 D. Naseri said that he had never seen a storm of this size in Tehran. Images taken during the storm show downed trees, blowing debris and dust blotting out the sun. Reports of deaths varied between four and five, and more than 50,000 homes and business lost power. State media reported that winds in Tehran's Monday storm reached up to 68 mph (110 km/h). Dust may cause health problems in the young, old and ill, and can also require flights to be diverted. The strong winds that pick up the dust can also damage trees and buildings. Phoenix, Arizona, in the Sonoran Desert, experiences haboobs, as do parts of Texas. They happen frequently in the Sahara and on the Arabian Peninsula, and also occur in the American West. Haboobs are common in dry, dusty regions.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |