Fall may feel like winter this year. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts ‘frosty fall’ for WA
On Sept. 22, the sun will align perfectly with the equator, giving the northern and southern hemispheres an equal amount of sunlight and signaling the autumnal equinox, which signals the astronomical start of fall.
After a scorching summer that saw many areas of Washington record some of their hottest summer weather ever, cooler weather will relieve many Washingtonians.
But when will the temperatures cool down for good, and should the Pacific Northwest expect snow before we hit winter-proper?
Fall forecast
Farmers’ Almanac, which predicts long-range weather forecasts and boasts an 80-85% accuracy in its forecasting, is expecting a frosty fall with typical precipitation for the Northwest.
Farmers’ Almanac groups regions together for its forecast — Washington falls in with Idaho and Oregon as part of the Northwest region.
Typical precipitation for Washington varies wildly depending on where you are in the state, but the average precipitation statewide is approximately 1.75 inches in September, 4 inches in October and 6.25 inches in November, according to Weather and Climate.
The average high temperature in the state also widely varies depending on location. The statewide average high temperature in September is 65 degrees and by November will drop to the mid-30s in the eastern half of the state and mid-40s in the western half.
Before Washington hits frigid weather, the state will look its best throughout October. Farmers’ Almanac forecasts that the best time to see fall foliage throughout the Evergreen State will be Oct. 12-28.
But if Farmers’ Almanac’s snow forecast is correct, the fall foliage may end early as snow comes down and covers the leaves.
The first snowfall of the season for Washington is forecast for Oct. 20-23. Although the forecast doesn’t specify precisely where in Washington, that weekend kicks off a busy weather month that’ll see “very unsettled weather” in the first few days of November and “fair, then stormy” weather throughout the middle of the month.
When to hit the road and when to stay home
Looking for an ideal time to vacation before it gets too cold?
Sept. 12-19 will be the best time to vacation this month. Otherwise, you may have to wait until the first week of October, which is forecast to be “fair and dry” from Oct. 1-3 before turning to “very unsettled weather.”
Much of October and November will be meteorologically active in the Northwest, with the only extended reprieve from stormy weather coming Oct. 8-11, Nov. 4-7, and Nov. 28-30.
Thanksgiving Week is forecast to have scattered showers and snow in the upper elevations from Nov. 20-23, and then a small break in the rain before more storms, gale force winds, and heavy snow in the mountains will sweep over the Evergreen State from Nov. 24-27.
The skies will clear for December with the occasional storm coming inland from the Pacific Ocean and stormy along the coastal plain for Christmas.
This story was originally published September 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
