How Many Sunny Days A Year Does Spokane Have?
When people describe Washington State, the words “rainy” and “gray” are often used. The sporadic coastal weather of major cities like Seattle or Tacoma are considered the norm for the entire state. However, at over 70,000 square miles, the weather across Washington is as diverse as the landscapes. So, at the other end of the state, how many sunny days a year does Spokane, WA have?
What is The Weather Like in Spokane, WA?
Officially, Spokane has a warm summer continental climate, simply meaning the area has comfortably warm summers and high precipitation over winter.
The best time of year to visit Spokane, WA is in the temperate summer months, from June to September. Over this season, the average temperatures often have highs in the mid-80s and lows in the 40-50 range. With only 1 or 2 days of rain on average each month, summers in Spokane are gorgeous, ensuring any trip you make will be packed with days in the great outdoors!
Winters in Spokane are similar to the Washington State average, at around 30-40 degrees. The cold months of the region see more precipitation than summers, although the rain shadow effect from the surrounding cascades keeps Spokane drier than other major cities like Seattle.
The Number of Sunny Days Per Year in Spokane
Spokane receives 171 days of sunshine on average every year. Most of the rainy days in the region happen during the winter months, with summers having the most sun-filled days of all the seasons.
While Spokane is just behind the national average of 205 sunny days per year, it beats out Seattle, WA which has only 152 days of sun per year!
Due to so many sunny days with low yearly precipitation, many consider Spokane to have one of the best climates in all the Pacific Northwest.
While coastal destinations may offer the year-round monotony of constant 65 degree days, the beauty of a city like Spokane which has four distinct seasons cannot be overstated.
How Much Rain Does Spokane, WA Get Every Year?
Every year, Spokane gets an average of 17 inches of rain. This is far below the national rain average of 38 inches per year. In Seattle, Washington the annual rainfall is 37 inches, almost exactly the national average.
So despite the common misconceptions about Washington and rain, you can expect to get less rain in Spokane than most other cities in the United States!
How Much Snow Does Spokane Get Every Year?
Winters in Spokane are far wetter than other months, receiving a total of 44 inches of snow every year. Many of Spokane's cloudy days happen over this season and is one of the main reasons why the region is slightly below national averages for total sunny days. However, don’t let the clouds get you down, snowy days in Spokane can truly be magical, painting the streets with a soft blanket of white, transforming the area into a winter wonderland.
Many residents and visitors alike come to the area specifically for the snow, as the surrounding winter skiing and snowboarding are some of the best in the state! Ski resorts like Mt Spokane or Silver Mountain thrive from the high annual snowfall and are packed with fresh powder for the visiting skiers.
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