The last significant earthquake to shake the Emerald City was the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually Earthquake in February of 2001. The Seattle Fault runs slightly to the South of the city centre and has been the cause of various, though infrequent, earthquakes over the years. The resultant flooding caused damage across the city and the deaths of five people. This, coupled with the moderating influence of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow, is why the Rain City reports just seven instances of thunder annually and usually receives light drizzle rather than torrential downpours.Īn exception to the rule of generally mild weather occurred in December 2007 when at least five inches of rain fell on the city over 24 hours it was billed as the second wettest event in Seattleâs history. The practical upshot of which is that, while the denizens of Seattle may often see dark clouds to the North and South, the city is spared the worst of the elements. The convergence zone is a region where Pacific winds meet and create an upward convection current. Seattle is often protected from thunderstorms and other extreme weather due to its location in the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. Accurate forecasts can be obtained 25 sdays in advance. When visiting Seattle it is best to pack layers since, although mild, the weather is rather unpredictable. On average, the warmest month is July whereas December holds the privilege of often being both the chilliest and wettest month. The hottest day on record for the Emerald City is Jwhen temperatures rose to 103☏ (39.4☌) while the coldest day was on Januwhen the mercury measured 0☏ (-18☌). Seattleâs weather is quite similar to the weather in Canadaâs Vancouver which also has a marine west coast climate. The skies above the city are cloudy for roughly two thirds of the year (mostly during the winter). However, unlike oceanic climates, the warm summer experienced under a marine west coast climate tends to be drier, sunnier and generally more suited to a vacation. Although, as Seattleites will doubtless appreciate, if the Olympic Mountainâs rain shadow were not present the city would receive up to 50% more rain than it does currently.īecause it is classed as having a marine west coast climate, Seattle experiences the damp, overcast and chilly conditions normally experienced under an oceanic climate throughout most of the year. Seattle (also known as the Emerald City or Rain City) is the largest city in the US state of Washington and is located on the West coast of North America in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains.ĭespite that protection from precipitation (a rain shadow is a region which receives less rain due to the wind-sheltering properties of a mountain) Seattle is famed for its frequent rain.
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