The climate of western Washington is characterized by relatively mild winters and moderately dry cool summers. Most air masses reaching the coast originate over the Pacific Ocean and exert a moderating influence throughout the year. In late spring and summer, westerly to northwesterly winds associated with the North Pacific high pressure system produce a dry season.

In late fall and winter, southwesterly and westerly winds associated with the then dominant Aleutian low pressure system provide ample moisture and cloud cover for the wet season which begins in October.

The rising and cooling of moist air along the windward slopes of the Willapa Hills and Olympic Mountains produces an area of heavy precipitation from the coast to the crests.

Annual amounts range from 70 to 100 inches over the southern coastal plains and from 125 to 200 inches in the "rain forest" area on the western slope of the Olympic Mountains (op. cit.). Afternoon temperatures near the coast during the summer are generally in the upper 60's (°F).

In an average winter, maximum temperatures range from 38° to 45° and minimums from 28° to 35 °.

The highest wind speeds recorded on the Washington coast reached 150 mph at North Head at the mouth of the Columbia River in January 1941, and 94 mph at Tatoosh Island in November 1942 (Oceanographic Institute of Washington, 1977, in Strickland and Chasan, 1989).

Ocean surface water temperature near the coast averages about 48° in February, 52° in May, 57° in August, and 50° in November.

The temperature range offshore is slight throughout the year, thus inshore-offshore migrations of biota associated with seabed temperature changes do not occur. For current weather predictions, try this National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Site, then click on Olympic Coast:

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/sanctuary/sanctuary.htm