Region’s winter was one to envy

The Puget Sound region’s weather this winter, which ends today, not only has been mild, it’s been the best in the nation when compared against 30-year averages.

To mark the first day of spring Saturday, The Weather Channel compiled data on temperatures and precipitation from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 for nearly every ZIP code in the nation, said David Blumenthal, spokesman for the Atlanta-based TV station.

Seattle topped the nationwide list for best weather during that time, with temperature ranking far above its 30-year averages and precipitation well below. Portland, Ore., ranked third and Spokane fifth.

On the rough side, Miami Beach, Fla., ranked worst, with its second-coldest winter since 1927. Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., with their record snowfalls tied for second worst, with Philadelphia right behind.

Seattle experienced its warmest January on record, with the average temperature at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 46.9 degrees, compared to an average of 40.9 since 1945, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Not one day in January was colder than average, according to The Weather Channel.

“We definitely have had a warmer-than-normal and drier-than-normal winter, especially when you look at the second half, especially after the new year,” said Dennis D’Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

From Dec. 21 through Wednesday, the winter tied 1981 for Seattle’s third-warmest, behind 1992 and 1995, D’Amico said.

Seattle had 64 days of above-average temperatures between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28, according to The Weather Channel.

D’Amico attributed the warmer-than-normal winter to El Nino, a cyclical warming of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean that stirs up weather patterns all over North America every few years.

For more more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/bestweather.

Best weather cities

According to data compiled by The Weather Channel for the winter of 2009-10, the top 10 are:

1. Seattle

2. Taos, N.M.

3. Portland, Ore.

4. Honolulu

5. Spokane

6. Alpena, Mich.

7. Denver

8. Fairbanks, Alaska

9. Los Angeles

10. Boston

Worst cities

1. Miami Beach, Fla.

2. Tie: Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

3. Philadelphia, Pa.

4. Dallas

5. Oklahoma City

6. Atlantic City, N.J.

7. Fargo, N.D.

8. Atlanta

9. Des Moines, Iowa

10. Portland, Maine

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.