A Wet February

                                         Cleanup while Snoqualmie Pass Closed Feb. 2017

Here in the northwest it has been the rainiest February on record. Even California has had record rainfall as well. Portland, Oregon has had a couple good snow storms as well. We had a little snow early in February here in Gig Harbor though other areas nearby have had more. In fact this weekend east of Seattle they had some more snow. They received a few inches of snow.

The average rainfall for February at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is just less than two inches. They had seven inches of rain in the middle of February and I am sure now over ten inches. Certainly gives a good start to rain for the year that is for sure.

We did have some days where the sun did come out for a couple days before raining once again. A lot of people are ready for spring that is for sure. I am OK with winter long as we get some more snow which is unlikely however can happen because we have had snow in March before.

Last couple years we had some really nice and warm February’s so thought had to do with global warming. Now has swung back the other way. It was predicted back in September that we would have more than normal lower temperatures along with precipitation so that has worked out that is for sure.

Both the Cascade and Olympic Mountains have had above average snowfall this winter as well. The last three years was below average so it is nice to have the recovery of snow. Interstate 90 that goes through Snoqualmie Pass has been closed several times for a lot of snow and avalanche warnings. It is the main freeway that links Western and Eastern Washington together so when the roads are closed it is quite the handicap. Stevens Pass that is more north than Snoqualmie Pass can get people to Eastern Washington however they are usually closed as well which is the case this time. Stevens Pass is a great place to go skiing as well. Other alternate routes take at least twice as long to get over to Eastern Washington so you need to have a good reason to travel. A lot of large trucks go over Snoqualmie Pass so they usually wait out the time when it is closed; accustomed to this happening during the winter.

So if no snow comes to Gig Harbor in March I hope for a dry month. We certainly don’t need any more rain for sure however it happens that is how it goes.

Whatever your weather is like enjoy it very much and march on. Get it!