Our Varied Weather in Seattle

Somewhere in South King County; Before and After the Winter Solstice --
Grumpy hasn't taken the time to post for awhile. Lots of things going on, so time available for such fun-time just wasn't very high on the priority list. So now, while awaiting the necessary data to complete my IRS duties for 2010, Grumpy found some scenic photos that he thought to share.

This first panorama was taken just before Thanksgiving when we were surprised to find ourselves marooned by an early snow.

Taken 23 November; note Evergreen tree on right and birches in near foreground

This view (above) off our deck is in contrast to a similar one taken a few weeks earlier (below) showing the colorful Autumn colors.

Taken 25 October; Note Evergreen tree on right and birches in near foreground

Now, while snow is not unheard of in Seattle, it is also sufficiently rare that drivers here are infamous for creating major havoc when it does snow. Even more rare are thunderstorm type activity, which creates a unique form of snowfall in the form of miniature snow-balls! This looks like hail, but each 5mm diameter pellet is really a small snowball!

Taken 30 December; These pellets are snowballs, not hailstones

But hope springs eternal! And sure enough, after last night's snowball droppings, the sun rose into a clear, winter-blue sky!

Taken 30 December off our lakeview deck at sunrise (at 0856!)

Enjoy the pictures. More winter weather is sure to follow in this New Year. [Where is Al Gore hiding these days when you need him!?]