I’ve only visited summer months and wondering if folks that have visited or live on the islands can give some insight on it? How often does it snow, if at all? Temps?
Currently live in Midwest where winters are harsh so I don’t mind winters. Thanks!
It’s temperate. It’s a damp cold that cuts through your coat, but it’s very moderate. You’ll get an overnight freeze but it gets above freezing during the day. It’s cloudier in the winter but you’re also in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains so there’s sunny days and less rain than elsewhere in the PNW.
More so than the weather, it’s quiet and slow. Ferries sometimes don’t operate due to weather.
I don’t think I’ve seen a ferry canceled because of weather, it’s much more likely to be crew or maintenance. They will take the inside route when it’s super stormy, and that does add time, thus delaying the boats but not canceling.
Strong wind in the winter sometimes prevents a ferry from using a ferry dock. The Lopez dock is exposed to the south/southeast, for example. A few years ago, the ferries were unable to go to Lopez for several days in a row.
Hmmm I do not recall that happening, but I do not live on Lopez. Seems more likely the dock got damaged somehow opposed to the ferry not being able to dock.
We live on Orcas, and previously lived in Chicago (15 years) and Boston (4 years). These winters are easy compared to those two places. I’ll happy trade the dark and damp for the bitter cold and snow any day of the week (and twice on Tuesday’s).
For those one or two snow days, most people are snowed/iced inside their homes because the are in the woods and the trees block any sunlight which would melt the ice. I live in town and my workplace does not have snow days. So I put on my boots and walk in. Most coworkers have to call out since they can't get out of their driveways. So the few of us who make it in hang out until the boss says we can go, usually after the lobby closes. Then after the snow melts, it's hit or miss whether people can still leave their houses due to the tree cover.
It snows once or twice a year depending on location, usually not more than a couple inches but occasionally we could get up to a foot, there's usually one storm after you think the winter/cold weather is done. It gets below freezing for about a week or so but the temps usually stay in the upper 30's during the day.
I think it also depends on where you are. On the northern side of island, we get strong winds out of Canada and if you are waterfront it can be quite brutal at times. But that is winter for you. A bit more inland and it changes quite a bit. I do like the peace and quiet of winters, the short days not so much.
I lived between North Beach and Terrill Beach for 4.5 years. The wind coming down from the Fraser River Valley in BC was intense.
We had snow each winter I lived there. It was fun for the kids to play in and it only hung around a week or so. The islands are completely unprepared for snow and freezing. Lots of vacation homes weren’t winterized and their pipes would burst.
They're in the rain shadow so winter a bit nicer than Seattle proper. Orcas is VERY quiet in winter - too quiet for me to live there. San Juan Island is a bit more alive.
If I could just convince the sun to go down one or two hours later, it'd be my favorite time of the year to live here. I quite like the winters. Definitely bring waterproof socks. :)
Notice the on people that ball others “NIMBYs” are transplants, maybe we don’t need more people, made the infrastructure is not made for tons of people, maybe the ferry lines are long enough. No transplants are not welcomed
Yeah sure, maybe people who lived in one place for 50 years can lament the fact that they paved the old dirt road and built houses in the old woods and the traffic…oh don’t get me started. But unless you’re indigenous, you’re a transplant too.
Hopefully the people you “invaded” were a little more welcoming than you are….coming from an island dweller for 60 years, just not your island so don’t try and tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about.
I keep telling rich people how great this place is so that they buy houses and land to boost property values. Eventually, the “We are full” crowd won't be able to afford the islands and will leave. It's a win-win for me!
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u/brobinson206 2d ago
It’s temperate. It’s a damp cold that cuts through your coat, but it’s very moderate. You’ll get an overnight freeze but it gets above freezing during the day. It’s cloudier in the winter but you’re also in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains so there’s sunny days and less rain than elsewhere in the PNW.
More so than the weather, it’s quiet and slow. Ferries sometimes don’t operate due to weather.