Seattle weather is mild and and can be classified as a typical Marine West Coast climate. It also exhibits some characteristics of a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers.
Water bodies like the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound have a moderating effect on the extreme temperatures. The harsh effects of the Pacific Storm are nulled by the huge Olympic mountains, which obstruct its way whereas, the chilly Arctic air is stopped by the Cascade Range.
In spite of lying on the rain shadow area of the Olympic Mountains, the city receives rainfall throughout the year. Seattle receives frequent rains in the form of drizzle or light rains with occasional downpours. The normal average yearly rainfall in Seattle is approximately 37 inches. Most of the time cloudy skies prevail over Seattle. Heavy rainfall occurs between January and May and between October and June. Best time to visit Seattle are the dry months of June, July and August.Seattle summers are usually cool and mild. Specific years are characterized by a week long heat spells. Weather in Seattle during the summers is usually dry with occasional thunderstorms. Seattle winters are also mild with less days of snowfall. A number of damaging winter storms and, wind storms and low land snow have occurred during the years. 2006 and 2007.
However the Puget Sound Convergence weather syndrome, causes unpredictable fluctuations with rains and thunderstorms even during the dry months. This unique meteorological phenomena is caused when the Olympic mountains deflect the winds blowing from the Pacific. These winds converge again over the Pugent Sound causing convectional rainfall, in the form of light drizzle or a thunderstorm. Wind components determine the intensity of the turbulence.
Seattle weather is essentially damp and misty. The climate is mild, with less variations in temperature and higher number of cloudy days.
