Will the Pacific Northwest Experience a Normal Spring This Year?
The Pacific Northwest region, known for its mild and unique climate, is experiencing an unusual spring season. Typically, spring brings a relief from the cool weather, but this year, the region has faced some challenges. Here’s a look at why the spring season in the Pacific Northwest has been delayed and what the current weather patterns are like.
Spring in the Pacific Northwest: A Unique Season
Spring in the Pacific Northwest is not as pronounced as in other regions of the United States. Historically, the sunny and warm spring weather that the rest of the country enjoys is a memory for many. Residents of the Northwest can often recall when the weather brought back the feeling of a spring that they miss. For instance, young people often remember a year when they experienced warm and sunny spring weather.
Spring Weather in Seattle
Seattle, a major city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for having one of the longest spring seasons in the nation. Spring weather usually begins in western Washington around the third week of February and ends anywhere from the end of June to mid-July. This means that for approximately 4.5 months, Seattle enjoys milder weather.
When considering spring based on average daily temperatures, Seattle's spring season is significantly longer compared to other cities in the United States. For instance, cities like Chicago and New York experience spring for only about two months. In New York, spring typically starts on March 18th and ends around May 20th, during which the average temperature rises above 70°F. Chicago has a similar pattern with a short spring season.
The Delayed Spring This Year
This year, the spring weather in Seattle has been delayed. What typically happens around February 25th was only observed on March 1st. However, the past month of January saw several days where the temperature was over 50°F. Specifically, January 3, 4, 5, 19, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31, as well as February 1st, had temperatures above 50°F. The unusual weather pattern included heavy snowfall in February, making this year's February the city's snowiest month in 50 years.
March, known for its spring-like conditions, saw four days (March 3 to 9) consistently under 50°F. However, every day since March 10th has been above 50°F, except for March 12th. The period of March 18th to 20th was notably hot, with temperatures exceeding 75°F. This year, March was one of the driest on record for Seattle.
April’s Weather Patterns
As of April 23, Seattle had received 3.39 inches of rain for the month, making April the wettest month so far. Despite the wet April, the effects of the dry March are still noticeable. As of April 12th, Seattle and a large portion of Washington state were still classified as experiencing dry conditions.
April so far has seen temperatures that are at or above the historical average for Seattle. This period has been a significant deviation from the typically cooler temperatures of April. The month has averaged 2.71 inches of rain, which is slightly more than the historical average. Despite this, the weather in Seattle has been quite normal, albeit with a bit more precipitation than usual.
Conclusion
Seattle and the Pacific Northwest generally enjoy one of the longest spring seasons in the United States. This year's weather patterns have been rather unique, with a delayed spring and subsequent rainy April. However, the overall weather for Seattle remains quite normal for this time of year.