Washington’s nickname, the Evergreen State, suits it nicely. This can be a place wealthy in alpine meadows and old-growth forests, lakes and rivers, waterfalls and wildflowers. And what makes all this inexperienced magnificence attainable? Rain – a lot of it. This nook of the Pacific Northwest (and its largest metropolis, Seattle) have a well-earned status for moist, drizzly climate.
However that’s solely half the story. The Cascade Mountains divide Washington into two distinct components. On the west aspect, inexperienced forests stretch to the Pacific Ocean, however east of the mountains it’s usually hotter and drier. Whereas the Olympic Peninsula rainforests would possibly see as much as 150 inches of rain a yr, the japanese components of the state get lower than 10 inches. In the meantime, the Cascade Mountains get round 200 inches of snowfall every winter.
In Western Washington, daytime temperatures not often go above 80°F in summer season or under 45°F in winter (although winter nights can dip under freezing). Jap Washington temperatures are hotter in summer season and colder in winter, and this a part of the state can see 300 days of sunshine a yr. Wherever you are headed in Washington, listed below are the very best instances to go to.
The July–September excessive season is the very best time for heat, dry days
July and August are the warmest and driest months in Washington and it is excessive season – even Seattleites get just a little solar. Most guests choose to go to in summer season and early fall (July via September). Lodge costs go up, and there are extra folks in well-liked neighborhoods and at massive vacationer points of interest. Be aware that Washington State ferries add a summer season surcharge to fares from Could to September.
Nationwide Parks and campgrounds are open, temperatures are delicate and the rain has eased, creating stunning situations for outside actions similar to mountaineering and tenting or sipping a beer on the patio. Coastal storms have calmed down, and the ruggedly stunning Washington coast beckons. Early fall is the very best time to go to wineries, ideally by bicycle.
The November via March off-season is finest for winter sports activities followers
November to January is the coldest and wettest interval in Washington (averaging 5–6 inches of precipitation monthly). Campgrounds are normally closed, and lots of again roads are inaccessible. On the plus aspect, resort costs are typically decrease.
That is technically the off-season, however it’s prime time for winter sports activities. Ski season begins as early as mid-November and continues via to March, although snow lingers at larger elevations into July. Washington has some top-notch alpine ski resorts, in addition to numerous alternatives for cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing.
The shoulder seasons (April–June and October) are quiet and damp
The shoulder seasons – masking the early spring and fall – might be a great time to go to in case you’re hoping to keep away from the crowds, and are keen to take your possibilities on the climate. It’s more likely to rain on you, however you might also get fortunate with a couple of superb spring or fall days. You possibly can most likely discover house at campsites with out making reservations, and there gained’t be lengthy traces at main points of interest.
January sees loads of powder on the slopes
Western Washington in January might be fairly gloomy, with many unbroken cloudy days and plenty of chilly rain. However in case you’re a skier or snowboarder, it is a nice time to move for the hills, the place the excessive elevation turns all that precipitation into fluffy powder. In cities, it’s good climate for snuggling into a comfortable pub or espresso store with that new guide you bought for Christmas. For nature lovers, that is the height time to take an eagle-watching tour alongside the Skagit River.
Key Occasions: Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Lake Chelan Winterfest
Keep indoors and eat in February
The cloudy days proceed, however at the least February is a brief month! Search out Valentine’s Day specials at wineries and high quality eating places, like a three-course dinner on the Lodge Sorrento or the all-vegan Cafe Flora in Seattle. Lease a home with a hearth on Lengthy Seaside Peninsula, or keep away from the effort of winter driving and take an Amtrak practice to the mock-Bavarian city of Leavenworth.
Key Occasions: Purple Wine & Chocolate excursions at Washington wineries
March sees spring begin to poke via the snow
Little hints of spring start to pop up in March, particularly within the japanese half of the state. In Seattle, Pike Place Market celebrates spring with Daffodil Days, alongside meals excursions and cooking courses. Lodge costs and airfares are comparatively cheap, and the summer season crowds have but to reach. Spend a wet day on the Museum of Pop Tradition, or play some pinball on the Racket in Bellingham.
Key Occasions: Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival, Taste Washington, Spokane Home & Garden Show
April is the time to get out and discover
April is taken into account the start of the tip of winter within the Cascade Mountains; snow would possibly proceed to fall, however a lot of the yr’s massive powder dumps have already been delivered. Elsewhere, flowers are blooming, temperatures are warming and locals are rising from the winter gloom. A professional tip: Pack your rain gear and your sun shades, as a result of, nicely, you by no means know.
Snow-packed roads imply it’s not the very best time for exploring the wilderness, however April normally brings good climate for scenic drives at decrease elevations – try the colourful fields of tulips within the Skagit Valley, or go to the intensely inexperienced and mysterious Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula.
Key Occasions: Seattle International Film Festival, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Could sees spring – and whales – sweep into Washington
Spring in Washington might be pleasant, although it is also regularly damp. Wildflowers and orchard blossoms are going robust by now, and so long as you bear in mind your raincoat you’ll be able to mainly stay a traditional life. Whale-watching boat excursions are an ideal household exercise for Could, and visiting any of the San Juan Islands is sort of necessary, whether or not you are tenting or glamping or on a biking, driving or sea kayak tour.
Key Occasions: Poulsbo Viking Fest, Northwest Folklife Festival, begin of the whale watching season
June is the beginning of the tenting season
Springtime continues to morph into summer season as extra campgrounds and trails open up and early vacationer actions start. In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll get summer-like climate with out the summer season crowds. Out of doors festivals are in every single place; head to Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood for a definitive dose of Pacific Northwest avenue life.
Key Occasions: Orcas Island Lit Fest, Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, Fremont Solstice Parade, Seattle PrideFest
July is correct summer season in Washington
July is formally summer season, with hotter temperatures, sunnier days, and greater crowds to show it. This is a superb time for a water-based journey similar to sea kayaking across the San Juan Islands or paddling Puget Sound. July can be nice for backpacking into the Mount Rainier wilderness; head to the trailheads at Paradise for a spread of nice mountaineering choices.
By now, roads into the mountains are plowed, so it’s additionally a good time to go to scenic viewpoints within the Cascades. It’s onerous to beat the drive to Artist Level alongside the Mt Baker Scenic Byway from Bellingham.
Key Occasions: Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair, Sequim Lavender Festival
August is the time to go tenting on the coast
Summer time continues as temperatures rise and rainclouds disappear, and humanities and music festivals choose up. On the east aspect of the Cascades, warmth might be excessive and wildfires are a priority. Riverside and coastal campgrounds are a superb method to beat the warmth, however reserve forward as they do guide up shortly. In the event you had been fortunate and smart, you deliberate forward and scored a campsite at beautiful Kalaloch Seaside on the Olympic Coast.
Key Occasions: Emerald City ComicCon, Makah Days, Washington State International Kite Festival
September is nice for quieter mountaineering
The start of fall means roughly reliably stunning days with cooling temperatures and spectacular fall colours. Most mountaineering trails and campgrounds are nonetheless open, and are a lot much less crowded than they’re in summer season, particularly after the Labor Day weekend.
The climate remains to be heat sufficient for a backpacking journey into the Goat Rocks Wilderness or a day hike within the Enchantments. On 4 wheels, take a drive as much as the Johnson Creek Observatory overlooking Mount St Helens to admire the views.
Key Occasions: Bumbershoot, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, Forever Twilight in Forks
It’s possible you’ll get fortunate with the climate in October
Typically there’s a tremendous “second summer season” in October, with attractive heat days, fall colours, and few crowds. Even when the climate doesn’t get that heat, it is a stunning time of yr within the Pacific Northwest. It is normally just a little chilly at night time for tenting, however it could nonetheless be value it in case you’re ready. Harvest season makes this a good time for meals and wine; try the annual Fall Festival at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.
Key Occasions: CrabFest, Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Issaquah Salmon Days
November ushers within the ski season
In an excellent snow yr, ski resorts are open by Thanksgiving. If it’s not a type of years, otherwise you’re not a skier, put on layers and give attention to indoor actions. That is the time to bundle up and scurry between museums, cafes, pubs, and bookstores (together with the beloved Elliott Bay Ebook Firm in Seattle). Or strive some attention-grabbing wines in Walla Walla, a cute city full of tasting rooms.
Key Occasions: Puyallup Quilt & Sewing Festival, Short Run Comics & Arts Festival, Walla Walla Fall Wine Release
December sees Washington gearing up for the vacations
Vacation parades and tree-lighting festivals brighten up the dreary days and lengthy nights of December. In Seattle, search for floating gentle exhibits on the Christmas Ship Festival. Within the winter-loving mountain city of Leavenworth, all of Entrance Road is aglow, and the year-round Christmas decorations store lastly is smart. Search for low-cost flights for the ski season; The Summit at Snoqualmie is simply an hour’s drive from Seattle.
Key Occasions: Christmas Ship Competition, Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival
