Climate
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
This area is has an undeniable mystical quality, right down to the most unusual weather. Peninsular weather is dominated by the Olympic rain shadow. Simply put, the Olympic mountain range causes the moist sea air to dump its precipitation before crossing the high peaks. That’s why cities directly east of the mountains see 10–17 inches of rain per year, but the western slope of the mountain might see upwards of 160 inches! Three-quarters of the national park’s precipitation falls October–March, and even during the relatively dry months, it’s best to be ready for rain. The geography helps keep temperatures mild, generally ranging from the low 70s in summertime to the mid-40s in the winter.
© Ericka Chickowski from Moon Washington, 8th edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.