05-21-2004, 06:11 AM
The Willamette Valley in Oregon is famous for its rain. It starts raining in September, and pretty much rains until June, sometimes into July. But, it doesn't get that cold. During the worst of the winter, the temperature might dip below freezing for an hour or two overnight, but then it will come right back up again. Snow is not very common, although we did have quite a snowstorm this past winter, and it was quite cold (teens to 20's F) to boot.
Well, quite a snowstorm means accumulation of maybe 6 inches, but we don't have a fleet of snowplows, and don't use salt on the roads. Also, once it turned to freezing rain, we were in for some trouble. Trees were coming down all over the place, under the weight of all of that ice. Oregonians have no idea how to drive in snow or ice either, unless they live in the mountains.
The rain is often steady, but it's usually more of a light drizzle. People here walk around in it without umbrellas, and usually without even trying to move quickly out of the rain. You get slightly damp, then you go inside and dry off. No big deal. We also don't get thunderstorms. We had one in the past year, and even that was unusual. People were talking about it for weeks (no kidding!).
If you live near the Columbia Gorge, there will be a cold, cold wind during the winter, though. The temperature might not be too cold, but that wind just goes right through you. I am glad that I live away from the winds at the moment.
But, there is one thing...
Oregon is so well known for its rain that most people don't even hear the "September through June" and think about the months not listed. It's a pretty well-kept secret, but it does NOT rain during the summer. At all. There will usually be at least six weeks without any precipitation, and usually very little in the weeks surrounding those. During the summer, it's not too hot (80's mostly, 90's some of the time, and 100 or so for a few days only), and the humidity is very low. Every day. Also, because there are few clouds during that time, the temperature cools off every night as soon as the sun goes down. It doesn't get cold, but just gets to a perfect temperature for cooling off after the hot day. Those beautiful summers more than make up for the winters, but that's our little secret.
Or did I just tell you? Ack, our secret is revealed! :o
Well, quite a snowstorm means accumulation of maybe 6 inches, but we don't have a fleet of snowplows, and don't use salt on the roads. Also, once it turned to freezing rain, we were in for some trouble. Trees were coming down all over the place, under the weight of all of that ice. Oregonians have no idea how to drive in snow or ice either, unless they live in the mountains.
The rain is often steady, but it's usually more of a light drizzle. People here walk around in it without umbrellas, and usually without even trying to move quickly out of the rain. You get slightly damp, then you go inside and dry off. No big deal. We also don't get thunderstorms. We had one in the past year, and even that was unusual. People were talking about it for weeks (no kidding!).
If you live near the Columbia Gorge, there will be a cold, cold wind during the winter, though. The temperature might not be too cold, but that wind just goes right through you. I am glad that I live away from the winds at the moment.
But, there is one thing...
Oregon is so well known for its rain that most people don't even hear the "September through June" and think about the months not listed. It's a pretty well-kept secret, but it does NOT rain during the summer. At all. There will usually be at least six weeks without any precipitation, and usually very little in the weeks surrounding those. During the summer, it's not too hot (80's mostly, 90's some of the time, and 100 or so for a few days only), and the humidity is very low. Every day. Also, because there are few clouds during that time, the temperature cools off every night as soon as the sun goes down. It doesn't get cold, but just gets to a perfect temperature for cooling off after the hot day. Those beautiful summers more than make up for the winters, but that's our little secret.
Or did I just tell you? Ack, our secret is revealed! :o
Why can't we all just get along
--Pete
--Pete