I woke up this morning to 66 degree (Fahrenheit) weather, dark and gloomy overcast skies, and rain. It's going to rain all day. I love moody, cool, stay-at-home weather. I'm so happy.
I lived south of Seattle for a few years in the early 1960's. I was enchanted by the misty rain and dark skies. From 9 - 12 years old I jumped at the chance to grab an umbrella and go for a a walk in the rain. Especially through the street light illuminated neighborhood at night. Magical! Seattle only averages 152 sunny days each year.
The Orlando area gets 233 sunny days per year. During the other months it is sunny in the morning, and then rains in the afternoon. But during the summer it is too hot and humid to enjoy the rain.
I like living in Florida, but I still get happy when it is a relatively cool, rainy day during the dry season. A whole day, not just an afternoon. Our dry season lasts from mid-October through May.
As long as I'm geeking out, I thought I'd share these with you. They are from https://www.move.org/sunniest-cities-in-america/
I am not a hot weather fan so I don't think I would want to live in Florida. I was surprised to see Hilo, Hawaii on the "least sunny" list!
ReplyDeleteApparently Hilo has a tropical rainforest climate. Re: Wikipedia, "A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. They experience high mean annual temperatures, small temperature ranges, and rain that falls throughout the year. Regions with this climate are typically designated Af by the Köppen climate classification. A tropical rainforest climate is typically hot, very humid, and wet."
DeleteWhen I look at that least sunny city list I am reminded of why we left Port Townsend, WA. We moved there from pleasantly sunny Santa Cruz, CA and found ourselves in the grayest cloudiest bleakest place we'd ever been. We tried it for four years and gave up. It's gray here in Arcata, but not nearly as wintry dark as it was in those higher northern latitudes. I see why people head south for winter.
ReplyDeletere: your last sentence, especially if you add in the cold and snow.
DeleteI love rainy weather too. Our whole family takes the opportunity of a good rain to go out and dance in it. No umbrella necessary. My favorite rainy activity involves a comfy seat by the window, a warm blanket, a cup of tomato soup, and a good book.
ReplyDeletemmmmm, tomato soup.
DeleteI just love those days too. Because I liked them so much I thought when I moved to Seattle the weather would not be an issue. But I must admit after 2 yrs of living in Seattle I was ready for sun. I don't believe they actually have 152 days of sun. Or they are calling that 5 minutes of afternoon sun that causes traffic slow downs on the I-5 or the 405. Crazy - sun is out, I can't see, slow down. But through rain they drive faster. Funny isn't it? I really like 4 seasons. A little bit of everything about the time I am sick to death of heat, fall rolls around. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI live in Central Florida since we retired. I love it here for about 10 months of the year. Can't afford to be a snow bird. I do miss the 4 seasons.
DeleteFascinating charts! Intriguing to see that Quillayute, Washington, on the Washington coast is #10 and that no other places in Washington are on that list. Now I know for absolute sure that I would not do well in Alaska. I don't mind short grey rainy days but they are far better than short grey freezing days!
ReplyDeleteI've done well with 152 days of sun each year since 174. I enjoy the sun but also enjoy the bright cool fresh air when there is a cloud cover. All the colors become brilliant with a backdrop of grey. Georgia O'Keeffe used to paint her walls grey for that reason, although I'm sure that she would not have been happy here in Western Washington. Eastern Washington, maybe! Parts of it look like New Mexico.
Some years ago I visited my sister in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I imagine that your weather is similar to the weather there. I can't imagine a more beautiful climate than that in the November I visited her. Sunshine. Low humidity. Perfect!
Western Washington is amazingly beautiful. Deep gorges, rainforests, Douglas Fir, rhododendron. I remember it with great fondness.
DeleteFunny how Florida is known as the "Sunshine State," but it really doesn't qualify in the grand scheme of things, does it?
ReplyDeleteYes!
Delete"Sunniest States in the U.S.
Whether you’re interested in harvesting solar power or you’re the type of person who needs extra Vitamin D all year, knowing the sunniest states in the U.S. is important.
No, the Sunshine State, Florida, is not the sunniest state in the U.S. But it is on the list.
Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data analysis site Stacker found the states that get the most sunshine on an annual basis. The data includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Hawaii and Alaska were not included in the data set from the CDC.
Values in the data are average annual sunlight totals expressed in kilojoules per square meter (kJ/m^2). Kilojoules are a unit of measure for energy.
The sunniest U.S. states are:
Arizona - 5,755 kJ/m^2
New Mexico - 5,642 kJ/m^2
Nevada - 5,296kJ/m^2
Texas - 5,137 kJ/m^3
California - 5,050 kJ/m^2
Colorado - 4,960 kJ/m^2
Oklahoma - 4,912 kJ/m^2
Kansas - 4,890 kJ/m^2
Utah - 4,887 kJ/m^2
Florida - 4,859 kJ/m^2"
Fascinating. I love rain so long as I don't have to take any buses. Lol
ReplyDeleteWith the right umbrella, we could rule the world!
DeleteI really dislike gloomy overcast days and rain. Partly because I find them depressing, partly because we only get around 58 days a year of sunshine in Northern Ireland. When the sun does come out it invigorates me instantly.
DeleteI like sun. I mean, I know we need to rain and I welcome it, but I am happier when it is sunny and warm.
ReplyDeleteMeteorologically speaking, Singapore is the dullest place on earth. It lies on the Equator and the sun drops off the edge of the horizon every day at 19.00, give or take a minute here or there. I occupied myself repairing airborne radio equipment, stripped to the waist in response to the humidity of the workshop environment. It represents the only passage of my life during which I drank Coca Cola regularly. This was in the mid-fifties and even now I feel ashamed of this childishness, this terrible lapse in taste.
ReplyDeleteIn the Deep South there is a Coca Cola jello congealed "salad" that people make. I've never had it (southerners don't seem to invite Yankee transplants into their homes to sample the regional cuisine). But I find it intriguing. https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/cherry-cola-jello-salad
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