MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Why summer doesn’t really start in western Washington until July 12

Jun 18, 2014, 10:40 AM | Updated: Jun 21, 2014, 7:25 am

For the northern hemisphere, Saturday, the summer solstice, is the point when the Earth’s til...

For the northern hemisphere, Saturday, the summer solstice, is the point when the Earth's tilt of its axis reaches its greatest inclination toward the sun. Another way to put it: Earth is leaning toward the sun at its highest point - just over 23 degrees north latitude. (NWS Image)

(NWS Image)

Summer in western Washington officially begins early Saturday morning, June 21, when the summer solstice occurs.

But our weather tends to lag what the calendar says. For much of western Washington, climatology (history of weather) shows summer usually begins in Seattle around July 12. Some years are earlier, others later, but generally the season appears to change on the 12th.

The start of western Washington’s summer weather is dependent on the position of the eastern Pacific high pressure area. By mid-July, the high usually establishes itself far enough north off the coast to deflect most wet weather systems north of Washington, meaning more sunshine, and the warmest and driest times of the year. That tends to last into September for the region.

Summer begins on the calendar this weekend and looking at the forecast, at least the first and second days of the official season will look summer-like with sunshine and temperatures reaching 70 degrees or more in many spots.

And in case you were wondering, there are two summer solstices – one for the northern hemisphere and the other for the southern hemisphere. For the northern hemisphere, Saturday is the point when the Earth’s tilt of its axis reaches its greatest inclination toward the sun. Another way to put it: Earth is leaning toward the sun at its highest point – just over 23 degrees north latitude.

For the southern hemisphere, Saturday is the start of winter. Their summer solstice is around December 21, the start of winter in the northern hemisphere.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

12 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

13 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

14 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

15 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

16 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

19 hours ago

Why summer doesn’t really start in western Washington until July 12