The Weather

So, does it really rain that much over there? That's the age-old question…
We have statistics to prove it does not rain as much as you may think in our area! Don't believe us? Here's a link to check our local weather.

As a point of reference, when we say "our" area, we mean East Jefferson County, from Port Townsend down through Chimacum, Irondale, Port Hadlock, and Port Ludlow to the Hood Canal Bridge.

The Rainfall

We are in a "rain shadow." That means the clouds get caught on the Olympic Mountains to the west, go around to Port Angeles to the north, and south to the Hood Canal. The clouds then gather rain over the sound and dump on Seattle! So, if you're watching the weather out of Seattle, you're not getting our weather.

In Sequim, which is in the middle of the rain shadow, the average rainfall is 17 inches a year. In the Port Townsend area, we've averaged 21.91 inches in the past seven years. (High year was 28.5 inches. Low year was 16.91 inches.) To put this in perspective, Seattle is sprinkled with between 30 and 40 inches of rain each year. The southern end of the Hood Canal gathers 84 inches a year. Hard as it may be to believe, our area is actually in a sun belt!

Temperatures

As a rule, this area does not get overly cold or hot. We can get down to 19 or 20 degrees at night in January and/or February in a really cold year. The daily temperature in the winter is in the 40s to low 50s. In March through June, we see 50s into the 60s. Over the summer, it's gorgeous here. We have temperatures in the 70s and even up into the 80s. We locals don't like it too hot. If we want hot, we'll go to the desert. If you want hot, it's not here! We like things cool and green. This doesn't mean we don't like sun. We have sun! (Just don't tell anyone…)

Wind

Actually, we call them breezes…cool breezes. Granted, in the winter coming up from the south, the breezes can get up to 40 miles an hour, But we get winds over 29 miles an hour only seven to nine days a year. That does not mean all day either. This keeps the skies clear and views beautiful!
We have all of this weather data in chart form. Please contact us if you would like all the details!

The Towns

We have wonderful small towns on the Olympic Peninsula. We are best known for Port Townsend and Port Ludlow, but please allow us to tell you about them all.

Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay is west of Port Townsend. It's a protected bay with sunset views to the west and beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains.

Kala Point
Kala Point is a community seven miles south of Port Townsend. For all intents and purposes, it's a park…walking trails, a private beach, and all! It's an ideal place to retire, with marvelous community activities to participate in. (You only need to get as involved as you want.)

Marrowstone Island
Marrowstone Island is the getaway place for folks, who want to get away from Port Townsend! The island living is quiet and pastoral. The east side of the island has "in-your-face" views of the ships going to and from Seattle and Bangor. Mystery Bay, on the west side of the island, is one of the most protected and serene bays in the area.

Port Ludlow
Port Ludlow is the recreational boater's dream! A quiet harbor with a five-star restaurant, right next to a community of homes that were developed with peace, quiet, views and maintaining value in mind!

Port Townsend
Last on our list, but certainly not least, is Port Townsend. The county seat. Our Victorian seaport. "Town." Port Townsend has a weekly newspaper that tells about all the local news. The county hospital. Doctors. Dentists (aren't we happy?!). Wonderful restaurants. Dry cleaners. Gas stations. Two grocery store chains: Safeway and QFC. But, it's the local shops that really make the area charming.

What to do?

Most people who have visited here can tell us what to do! There is so much here, it's amazing! On the peninsula, you can do as much, or as little, as you want. If you want to "drop out" (as we used to say) you can do that very easily. But, you can also…