Why is the PNW so gloomy?

Low pressure systems are one of the main reasons the Pacific Northwest is so wet and rainy. Building in the Gulf of Alaska, these storms barrel right toward Oregon, Washington, and Canada, dumping condensation on the way.

Why is it always gloomy in Washington?

The 10,000 foot-high Cascade Range that bisects the state from north to south is responsible because it hampers the flow of moist air moving eastward from the Pacific, said Loyd. “This is largely why, east of the Cascades, the term, 'cloudiest' is not an accurate depiction,” he said.

Why is the Pacific coast so cloudy?

With relatively higher pressure over the Pacific Ocean, a pressure gradient develops and pushes the cooler and more humid ocean air inland. If this marine layer is deep and moist enough, low clouds and fog are the result.

Why is Seattle so gloomy?

What makes Seattle so rainy? Seattle is located slap-bang in the middle of a convergence zone where nearby weather patterns meet. It's here that different streams of hot air, cold air and moisture collide, forming clouds, rain, hail and snow.

Is it gloomy in Washington state?

A recent study named Seattle the No. 1 “gloomiest place in America.” The website Bestplaces.net, which ranks locations on all kinds of qualities, created a “gloom index” for the largest cities in the nation, based on weather data during the darkest months of the year.

SEATTLE BROKE ME

Is it depressing to live in Washington state?

8th Most-Depressed State: Washington

Frequent visitors to the state of Washington know that July, August and September tend to provide sunny, beautiful and temperate conditions, but for much of the rest of the year, weather can easily put a damper on one's mood.

Is living in Seattle depressing?

Even in normal times, some people who live in Seattle start to feel down around this time of the year. The gray and drizzle has set in, and we can look forward to six more months of it. But 2020 is anything but normal.

Why is it always GREY in Seattle?

But the clouds here. They just don't go away. Seattle is the cloudiest major city in the Lower 48 states — 226 days a year with clouds covering more than three-quarters of the sky. “Where do you think they came with up that title, 'Fifty Shades of Grey?

Is Seattle the cloudiest city in the US?

1. Anchorage, AK. With an average of over 230 cloudy days per year, Anchorage is the gloomiest city in the United States.

What is the rainiest city in the US?

Is June Gloom Real in San Diego?

Clouds in June

June gloom is very real, and you'll soon realize that if you visit San Diego in June. On average, you can expect the sky to be clear on nine days of the month, with no more than 30 percent cloud cover.

Why is June Gloom a thing?

These include the marine layer effect common to the West Coast of the United States, an atmospheric inversion caused by subsidence of high-pressure air from the subtropical ridge, and sufficiently cool ocean water off the coast. The June Gloom pattern is also enhanced by the Catalina eddy local to southern California.

Why is it foggy on the West Coast?

The Pacific Ocean contributes to the frequency of fog by providing atmospheric moisture and by its temperature. It is also the major source of nuclei for the condensation of moisture from vapor into cloud droplets.

What is the cloudiest state in America?

Days of Heavy Cloud

The south coast of Alaska leads the way as the cloudiest region of the United States. Several weather stations scattered along the coast's remote islands and bays report more cloudy days a year than anywhere else in the country.

What is the cloudiest city in the world?

You've probably heard of Torshavn, in Denmark's Faroe Islands. It is the cloudiest city in the world, receiving an astounding 840 hours of sunshine every year.

Why does Seattle have so many homeless?

Some reasons for homelessness have been attributed to the cost of living in Seattle having significantly risen in the past decade due to gentrification, lack of publicly owned affordable housing, and the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. These have all culminated in an increase in the homeless population.

What state gets the least sunshine?

The absolute least sunny county in the lower U.S. is Island County, Wash. On an average day, it gets only about 60 percent of the solar radiation of a typical county in Southern California. The states bordering the Great Lakes — from Minnesota to New York — are all at the bottom of the sunlight distribution.

Is Portland weather better than Seattle?

Seattle averages 38" of rain a year and Portland averages 36", not a big deal. Portland's average summer temp is 76 degrees, and Seattle is 73. Average winter temperatures in Portland are 49 vs 48 in Seattle. Call the weather a wash.

Is Seattle similar to London?

Quite a lot more in fact, beating London's average rainfall of 23 inches by a substantial amount (Seattle has 38). The average temperature in both cities is also fairly similar, with London being slightly colder, but not by much. But Seattle does see far more hours of sunshine, despite having a higher rainfall.

Is Seattle getting sunnier?

SEATTLE — Over the last decade, Western Washington's climate has become both warmer and wetter, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The federal agency updates its 30-year "climate normals" report every decade, and the latest includes changes analyzed from 2010 to 2020.

Does it rain more in Seattle or Florida?

Seattle, Washington gets 38 inches of rain, on average, per year. Miami, Florida gets 59.3 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38.1 inches of rain per year. Seattle averages 4.6 inches of snow per year.

Is living in Seattle worth it?

Seattle is consistently ranked among the 10 best places to live in the United States by U.S. News, and for good reason. Not only is Seattle surrounded by lush evergreen forests, but the city is famous for being environmentally friendly. Plus, its residents earn above-average incomes.

Is Seattle a liberal city?

Seattle is a predominantly liberal city and tends to elect left-leaning politicians to office. Bruce Harrell was elected as Mayor of Seattle in a municipal election on November 2, 2021, becoming the second Black mayor after Norm Rice, and first-ever of Asian descent.

Is the Seattle freeze a real thing?

The Seattle Freeze refers to a widely held belief that it is especially difficult to make new friends in the U.S. city of Seattle, Washington, particularly for transplants from other areas.