Seattle tourism is flourishing amid recent heat waves

If you’ve lived in the Greater Seattle area your entire life, or have been here long enough to adjust to the climate, temperatures reaching 90 degrees and above can be a bitter experience. But visitors are soaking it up as Seattle tourism spikes.

David Blandford, vice president of communications for Visit Seattle, says our warm weather is a magnet for tourism.

Related: Proof residents should stop complaining about Seattle weather

“I think that on those national forecasts, especially in August, people look at that temperature gauge nation-wide and see Seattle is relatively cool yet sunny compared to the rest of the country, which is just sweltering.”

Heat waves and Seattle tourism

Western Washington residents have dealt with several stretches of warm-to-hot weather this summer. That includes last week, which had a record-breaking Friday with highs of 95 degrees.

The end of a hot day in Seattle. The high was 95, breaking the old record of 89 for August 19, set in 2015. #wawx pic.twitter.com/mMD57rfHvs

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 20, 2016

Although 95 is a bit warm, Blandford says Visit Seattle still hears positive feedback from tourists.

“…Even on our warmest days in the summer time that offshore breeze and cooler nights with less humidity … is really not too bad,” he said.

People unfamiliar with the area are also surprised by the lack of rain.

“[They’re] delighted it’s not raining, which many of them — believe it or not — still come here thinking it rains all the time.”

Fortunately for tourists, there are a few days of hot weather. A high of 92 is expected for Friday. That should inspire a little Seattle tourism during those times.

Unfortunately for heat-loving folks, there will be a sharp drop in temperatures Saturday, when the high decreases to 74 degrees. That will be followed up with showers on Sunday.

Related: Will this be the Northwest’s last heat wave of the summer?

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