MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Kiss summer goodbye: Fall is knocking at our door

Sep 21, 2016, 9:16 AM

windstorms...

History proves that Seattle isn't immune to violent winds. (AP)

(AP)

Kiss summer goodbye. Wednesday is the season’s last full day.

According to the National Weather Service’s Kirby Cook, it was a pretty typical summer, and the winter is proving difficult to predict.

“We were pretty close to normal when you look at the trends,” Cook said.

Related: Threat of wildfires growing in the Northwest amid climate change

Though this summer was slightly warmer than typical in the Northwest, that extra heat has been more or less the norm over the past decade.

Though July was one of the coolest in four years, the Puget Sound region had a record-making August. It was the fourth warmest August on record with an average temperature of 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service. The warmest August on record was in 1967.

There was also very little rain in August — .17 inches. It rained more than that in one night in September.

There was plenty of heat leading up to summer. Both Bellingham and Olympia had their warmest April days on record.

Seattle weather predictions up in the air

Around June, a cooler, stormier winter was being predicted. That could be changing, according to Cook.

Climate models are showing a bit more of a neutral winter. However, Cooks says things are still up in the air.

“The message is we can expect just about any kind of weather as we go into a neutral year like this,” he said. “We’re just going to have to hang tight to see how it will pan out.”

Fall officially starts Thursday morning. The Autumnal Equinox will occur at 7:21 a.m.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

starbucks...

MyNorthwest Staff

Three Seattle Starbucks locations closing, including one 8-month old Ballard location

One of the 250 North American stores Starbucks announced it would close was in Ballard, making it three total in Seattle.

24 minutes ago

Chelan Hills Fire...

MyNorthwest Staff

Chelan Hills Fire court update: 2 plead not guilty, trial set for Nov. 17

Four of the five suspects arrested in connection with the July 4 Chelan Hills Fire appeared in Douglas County court Monday.

55 minutes ago

seattle fuel fire...

Gee Scott

Gee: Wait, what?! Suspects set themselves on fire allegedly trying to steal fuel in Seattle

Seattle police are searching for two suspects who allegedly tried to steal fuel from box trucks in Seattle, and set themselves on fire. Wait, what?!

2 hours ago

sr 167 fatal motorcycle crash auburn...

Jason Sutich

Southbound SR 167 in Auburn reopens after fatal motorcycle crash

All lanes of southbound SR 167 north of SR 18 in Auburn have reopened after a fatal collision Monday afternoon involving a motorcycle and a car.

3 hours ago

A basket of fried chicken, accompanied by small bowls of sauces. (Photo: Daniel_Dash via Envato)...

Charlie Harger

Popular California chain Starbird Chicken opens first WA restaurant in West Seattle

West Seattle has a new chicken spot. Starbird Chicken opened its first Washington restaurant Monday on Fauntleroy Way SW near the Alaska Junction.

4 hours ago

kent drive-by shooting...

Jason Sutich

2 dead after drive-by shooting near I-5 overpass in Kent; road closed in both directions

A drive-by shooting near the S 272nd Street overpass above I-5 in Kent killed 2 people Monday, shutting down the road in both directions as police investigate.

5 hours ago

Kiss summer goodbye: Fall is knocking at our door