Denise3

I am trying to plan a trip for myself, husband, and three grown sons and am seriously thinking about the Seattle area in January 2014. Will the weather be a total disaster at this time, or can we make it a good trip despite the winter? We will stay in Seattle a couple of days, then move on to see the San Juan Islands as well as a day trip to Mt. Rainier. Would also love to see Port Townsend. We love to hike, but not certain about the weather at this time. We also thought about driving to the Cascades. What part of Seattle should we stay in? I thought about renting a house on vrbo.
Any suggestions on other areas to visit or sights to see would be greatly appreciated!
Denise

Gardyloo

Frankly, dark and rainy, might even snow. The San Juans and Port Townsend are certainly doable; Mount Rainier and the Cascades will probably be snow-tires trips. If you're interested in skiing, no problemo.

There's plenty to do in Seattle, of course - the Pike Place Market, ferry rides, museums, shopping, theater and cinema... I'd probably get a car and stay someplace where you can park affordably, unless you like walking or waiting for buses in the rain.

Denise3

You may have just changed my mind. We do not want to be walking around in the rain.
I think I read somewhere you cannot put tire chains on rental cars (since we will have one).

Gardyloo

Don't get me wrong - January is not our rainiest month, and it rains less in Seattle in January than it does in Atlanta. We can also get some marvelous sunny days, too, when the mountains are clear and everything is very fresh.

Here are a couple of midwinter pictures I've taken to illustrate -

Downtown and Mt. Rainier from Kerry Park - http://gardyloo.us/HDR%20Trial%20011010a.jpg

Downtown from West Seattle - http://gardyloo.us/20091226_31a.JPG

Ferry arriving at last light - http://gardyloo.us/20091226_71c2.JPG

suze

Yes January weather might be a "disaster".

I LOVE Seattle (having lived here 25+ years now) but would not invite anyone to come visit in January. It's not only the possible rain or snow and gloom, it's that the days are so darn short (we are really far north).

That said, you could luck into some crystal clear, cold, sunny days in January. You just don't know.

boom_boom

We were there right after New Years 2013 and it was damp, foggy and drizzle. Not terribly cold and not hard, driving rain. The only downside for my party was it getting dark so early. If you;re prepared, winter can be a good time to avoid the crownds,

suze

When we say "short" we're talking dark at 4:15-4:30pm.

nukesafe

Much as I love the area, I'm afraid what the others are telling you is the truth. At least you won't be troubled by hordes of tourists that time of year.

We rent a guest room in Anacortes, a town which a lot of folks use as a jumping off point for touring the San Juan Islands, and B.C. Our occupancy rate might be indicative of the tourist load. This Summer we were booked almost solid from May through September. I just looked at how we had done last January, and my calendar shows we had only two nights rental for the whole month. Those two bookings came from folks who needed to catch early morning ferries.

I urge you to come see our part of the world, but just be aware that a lot of tourist activities shut down for the off season, especially on the Islands, and even the Orcas disappear.

suze

The Pacific Northwest is an incredible place, beautiful beyond belief... just not at its best in January.

justwishin

Those of us who live here accept a modicum of drap to compenate for the glory, absolute glory of summer in Seattle. We don't let the weather bother us, just throw on a rain jacket and go...We don't get snow (almost never), have wonderful skiing very close, great eateries, no bugs, nice mix of people and clean air. What more do you want.?

Kathie

Such a perfect post for "Lesser Seattle-ites" to respond to.

It's not that it rains hard in January, it's just a constant drizzle with intermittent showers. And the dark - yes, it gets "light" at 8 am or so, dark by 4:30 pm, and all the time between it is dark enough you'll need to turn on a lamp to read, even if your chair is right by a window.

It is less rainy in the San Juans in January than in Seattle, but it is so dark... when I go to th island to visit my mother I feel like it is never "daytime."

Usually in February we will get a day or two of crystal-clear weather, intense blue skies and great views of the snow-capped mountains. But if this lasts more than two days, the inversion layer is so awful asthmatics go to the hospital.

nukesafe

We don't get those inversion layers up here in Anacortes, Kathie. Probably you guys down there in the congested southlands.

We also get only about half the rainfall you Seattleites get, because of the Olympic's rain shadow. I've got to admit it gets a bit drab up here, too. When we moved here about 20 years ago to fix up an old stable, we were aware of the dark winters and went crazy with skylights when we remodeled. They help, but I've got to admit when you don't see the sun for a couple of weeks it gets a bit depressing.

After the glorious Summer we had it is a bit sobering to know that Winter is almost upon us.

halfapair

Most people are trying to LEAVE western Washington in January. I'll be in Australia where it will be warm & sunny.

Yes, there are things to do here in case the weather is nasty, which it certainly will be. You can visit the Future of Flight in Everett and take a Boeing factory tour. There is the Museum of Flight, just south of Seattle, Pike Place Market, the Pacific Science Center and the Aquarium.

But if it snows you won't be going to many of these places because it's impossible to drive around here if it snows. Which it very well could in January.

The real beauty of Western Washington is in the surrounding natural setting: Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, the San Juans, etc. These places and sites are better experienced in July/August when the weather is nice.

Kathie

nuke, I think we are all feeling sunshine deprivation after that absolutely fabulous summer! Yes, you don't get as much rain or the inversion layer in Anacortes. But it's still dark there.

suze

Save Seattle for some time when you're looking for a trip between say May and September months.

As others mention the winter is when I always head to Hawaii or Mexico (I try for going away Nov AND April) so I make it thru the winter gloom.