How Much Rain Falls In Seattle?

Seattle is well-known for its coffee, tech sector, and—of course—its apparently limitless rain. If you have never visited the Emerald City, you could imagine a city where the streets gleisten with puddles year-round, umbrellas are a necessary, and the sky is always gray. Still, how much rain Seattle receives really? You might find the response surprising. Although Seattle has a significant number of drizzles and overcast days, its actual rainfall may not be as extreme as you might believe.

Seattle’s Annual Rainfall Might Not Be As Much As You Expect

Though the truth is very different, people enjoy making jokes about Seattle being the national rain capital. Seattle gets on average roughly 37 inches of rain annually. From that standpoint, cities like New York City (44 inches), Houston (50 inches), and even Miami (61 inches) really get more total rainfall than Seattle. Seattle's strong rainy reputation stems from the way that the rain falls—not in massive downpours but rather in several months' worth of regular, mild drizzles.

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Why Seattle Feels Rainy Even If It Doesn’t Rank Among The Wettest Cities

Why then, if places like Houston and Miami get more rain than Seattle, does it appear that Seattle is perpetually wet? Counting the wet days rather than the overall precipitation is the secret.

Seattle shows obvious precipitation between 150 and 200 days year. Not that it rains every day; this shows at least some precipitation. Usually, most of these days consist in light rain, mist, or drizzle instead of thunderstorms or severe rain. Though the total is not unusual, this consistent, mild rain makes one think it is always raining.

The Role Of Seattle’s Geography In Its Unique Rain Patterns

Where Seattle is located greatly influences the frequency and timing of rain. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, the city experiences a mild marine temperature that lets regular light rain showers pass through.

The Olympic Mountains, which produce a rain shadow effect, have one of the largest impacts. The Olympic range is struck by moist air from the Pacific as it goes inland, rising and producing significant west-side precipitation. But by the time air gets to Seattle, much of its moisture has evaporated, producing milder rain instead of strong storms.

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How The Rain Impacts Daily Life And Even The Cleaning Industry In Seattle

On so many rainy days, maintaining clean homes and businesses can seem challenging. Constant moisture increases the likelihood of mildew or mold growth; wet sidewalks can bring muck inside. Maria's Green Cleaning helps households keep fresh and clean areas even in constant moisture.

The regular rain in Seattle affects house upkeep as well since gutters, roofs, and outdoor surfaces demand constant attention to prevent water damage or accumulation. Knowing that a little maintenance goes a lot in a place where rain is a regular buddy, Seattleites consequently take home care quite seriously.

The Rain Might Be Frequent, But Seattle Still Has Plenty Of Beautiful Weather

For those who have never visited Seattle, the concept of continual rain could sound depressing, but in fact the city boasts amazing summers, temperate temperatures, and gorgeous scenery to offset the overcast days.

Clear mountain air, expansive Puget Sound panorama views, and the kind of fresh aroma only found following a light sprinkle once the rain passes. And when the sun does shine, nothing quite like seeing Mount Rainier majestically standing in the distance against a pure blue sky.

Though it's not the torrent many picture, Seattle's reputation as a rain-soaked city is not entirely unfounded. Rather, this city boasts rich scenery, lots of misty days, and an obvious appeal that residents would not swap for anything.

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