Typical weather conditions for Bellingham, Washington, are characterised by reasonable temperatures and vital rainfall. Information compiled over a few years reveals patterns indicating comparatively gentle winters and funky summers, influenced by the town’s proximity to the Puget Sound. For instance, common January temperatures sometimes hover round 40F (4C), whereas July averages are close to 65F (18C). Precipitation is a defining attribute, with annual totals typically exceeding 30 inches. This information is commonly introduced in tabular format, displaying month-to-month and annual averages for temperature, rainfall, snowfall, and sunshine.
Understanding these long-term local weather patterns supplies beneficial insights for residents, companies, and guests. This data informs choices associated to agriculture, infrastructure growth, tourism planning, and even private apparel decisions. Historic climate information permits pattern evaluation, contributing to a deeper comprehension of native local weather change impacts and helping within the growth of methods for adaptation and mitigation. These information additionally play a significant position in analysis throughout numerous disciplines, from environmental science to city planning.
Additional exploration of Bellingham’s local weather can delve into particular facets like differences due to the season, excessive climate occasions, and microclimates. An examination of those sides will present a extra complete image of the world’s distinctive meteorological traits.
1. Temperature
Temperature performs an important position in defining Bellingham, Washington’s local weather. Evaluation of temperature information, together with common highs, lows, and day by day means, supplies important context for understanding the area’s total climate patterns. This data has vital implications for numerous sectors, together with agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure planning.
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Common Highs and Lows
Common excessive and low temperatures present a basic overview of day by day temperature fluctuations. In Bellingham, these averages fluctuate seasonally, with summer time highs sometimes within the mid-60s Fahrenheit (round 18C) and winter lows not often dipping beneath freezing. This reasonable temperature vary contributes to the area’s comparatively gentle local weather.
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Every day Imply Temperature
The day by day imply temperature, calculated by averaging the excessive and low for a given day, supplies a helpful single-point metric for understanding typical day by day situations. Monitoring day by day imply temperatures over time reveals seasonal tendencies and permits for comparisons throughout completely different years, contributing to a deeper understanding of long-term local weather patterns.
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Excessive Temperatures
Whereas Bellingham experiences a reasonable local weather total, occasional excessive temperature occasions, comparable to warmth waves or chilly snaps, can happen. Analyzing the frequency and depth of those occasions helps assess potential dangers and inform methods for local weather change adaptation and mitigation.
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Influence on Native Ecosystems
Temperature considerably influences the native ecosystem, affecting plant progress, animal conduct, and total biodiversity. Bellingham’s reasonable temperatures help a various vary of natural world, together with temperate rainforests and marine life. Understanding temperature tendencies helps predict and handle potential impacts of local weather change on these delicate ecosystems.
By contemplating these numerous sides of temperature information, a complete image of Bellingham’s local weather emerges. This understanding is key for informing choices associated to useful resource administration, city planning, and neighborhood preparedness.
2. Precipitation
Precipitation considerably influences Bellingham, Washington’s local weather, shaping its ecosystems and impacting day by day life. Analyzing precipitation patterns, together with rainfall quantities, frequency, and seasonal distribution, supplies important insights into the area’s total climate traits. Understanding these patterns is crucial for water useful resource administration, infrastructure planning, and agricultural practices.
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Common Annual Rainfall
Bellingham experiences a comparatively excessive common annual rainfall, sometimes exceeding 30 inches. This substantial rainfall contributes to the area’s lush vegetation and ample water sources. Correct measurement and evaluation of annual rainfall totals are essential for managing water provides and predicting potential flood dangers.
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Seasonal Distribution
Rainfall in Bellingham isn’t evenly distributed all year long. The wettest months sometimes happen in the course of the fall and winter, whereas summers are typically drier. This seasonal variation influences agricultural practices, requiring cautious irrigation methods throughout drier intervals. Understanding these seasonal patterns can be important for tourism planning and out of doors leisure actions.
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Rainfall Depth and Frequency
Analyzing rainfall depth and frequency supplies insights into the character of precipitation occasions. Whereas Bellingham sometimes experiences frequent gentle to reasonable rainfall, occasional heavy downpours can happen. Understanding the frequency and depth of those occasions helps assess potential dangers related to flooding and landslides.
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Types of Precipitation
Whereas rain dominates Bellingham’s precipitation, different kinds, together with snow and hail, also can happen, significantly in the course of the colder months. Analyzing the frequency and depth of those completely different precipitation sorts contributes to a extra full understanding of the area’s local weather and its potential impacts on infrastructure and transportation.
A complete understanding of precipitation patterns is integral to characterizing Bellingham’s local weather. This data informs sensible choices throughout numerous sectors, from agriculture and concrete planning to emergency preparedness and environmental conservation. By analyzing historic precipitation information and contemplating future local weather projections, efficient methods could be developed for sustainable useful resource administration and local weather change adaptation.
3. Sunshine
Sunshine length considerably influences Bellingham, Washington’s local weather and total character. Town’s location within the Pacific Northwest, recognized for its cloudy skies, leads to a singular sunshine profile distinct from different areas. Understanding common sunshine hours, differences due to the season, and the impression on native ecosystems supplies beneficial context for appreciating the world’s local weather.
Annual sunshine totals in Bellingham are usually decrease in comparison with areas additional east in Washington State. The presence of the Cascade Mountains to the east creates a rain shadow impact, rising cloud cowl and lowering direct daylight, particularly in the course of the fall and winter months. Conversely, summers are likely to expertise longer intervals of sunshine, though nonetheless topic to occasional cloud cowl. This sample creates distinct differences due to the season in gentle availability, influencing plant progress, animal conduct, and human actions. For instance, the diminished daylight throughout winter can impression vitamin D ranges in residents, whereas the prolonged daytime in summer time present ample alternative for out of doors recreation. The interaction of sunshine and cloud cowl contributes to the area’s attribute lush inexperienced landscapes and reasonable temperatures.
Analyzing sunshine information at the side of different local weather variables, comparable to temperature and precipitation, supplies a complete understanding of Bellingham’s climate patterns. This data informs numerous sectors, together with agriculture, tourism, and renewable vitality. Farmers depend on sunshine information to optimize crop progress and yields, whereas tourism companies leverage details about sunny intervals to draw guests. Moreover, understanding sunshine patterns is essential for assessing the potential of photo voltaic vitality technology within the area. Recognizing the challenges and alternatives introduced by Bellingham’s distinctive sunshine profile permits for efficient planning and useful resource administration, supporting each financial growth and environmental sustainability.
4. Snowfall
Snowfall, whereas not a dominant function of Bellingham, Washington’s local weather, performs a noteworthy position in shaping the area’s total climate patterns and impacting day by day life. Understanding typical snowfall quantities, frequency, and related challenges supplies beneficial context for residents, companies, and guests. Analyzing snowfall information alongside different local weather variables contributes to a complete image of Bellingham’s climate averages.
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Common Annual Snowfall
Bellingham receives a modest common annual snowfall, sometimes lower than 10 inches. This comparatively low quantity distinguishes the town from different areas in Washington State, significantly these at larger elevations or additional inland. Whereas vital accumulations are rare, snowfall occasions can nonetheless disrupt transportation, impression infrastructure, and affect native ecosystems.
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Seasonal Distribution of Snowfall
Snowfall in Bellingham primarily happens in the course of the winter months, sometimes between December and February. Nevertheless, occasional snow occasions can happen outdoors of this era, although they’re often short-lived and fewer impactful. The seasonal focus of snowfall necessitates preparedness measures throughout winter, together with snow elimination methods and changes to transportation schedules.
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Influence on Infrastructure and Transportation
Even comparatively small quantities of snowfall can create challenges for transportation and infrastructure in Bellingham. Highway situations can develop into hazardous, requiring the usage of snow tires or chains. Public transportation schedules might expertise delays or cancellations. Understanding typical snowfall patterns permits for proactive planning and useful resource allocation for snow elimination and highway upkeep.
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Snowfall and Native Ecosystems
Snowfall, although restricted, contributes to the hydrological cycle in Bellingham, offering a supply of freshwater in the course of the winter months. The insulating impact of snow cowl also can defend delicate crops and animals from excessive chilly temperatures. Analyzing snowfall patterns at the side of different local weather variables supplies insights into the complicated interaction between climate and the native ecosystem.
Integrating snowfall information with different local weather metrics enhances the understanding of Bellingham’s climate averages. Recognizing the potential impacts of snowfall, even in a comparatively gentle local weather, permits for proactive planning and adaptation methods, guaranteeing neighborhood preparedness and minimizing disruptions to day by day life. This complete understanding contributes to a extra nuanced appreciation of the area’s local weather and its affect on the native atmosphere.
5. Humidity
Humidity performs a major position in shaping the general local weather expertise of Bellingham, Washington. Town’s proximity to the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean contributes to constantly elevated humidity ranges all year long. This atmospheric moisture content material influences perceived temperatures, affecting consolation ranges and impacting numerous facets of day by day life, from out of doors actions to infrastructure upkeep. Excessive humidity can exacerbate warmth situations throughout hotter months, making temperatures really feel hotter than the precise air temperature. Conversely, throughout cooler intervals, excessive humidity can contribute to a moist, chilly sensation. Understanding humidity patterns is essential for deciphering Bellingham’s climate averages and anticipating their sensible implications.
The first driver of Bellingham’s excessive humidity is the ample moisture supply supplied by the encircling our bodies of water. Evaporation from the Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean introduces vital moisture into the ambiance. This impact is additional amplified by the prevailing westerly winds, which transport moist air inland. Consequently, even during times with out rainfall, the air stays saturated with water vapor. This persistent humidity influences numerous facets of the native atmosphere, together with fog formation, dew level, and the general notion of temperature. As an example, frequent fog occurrences, particularly throughout cooler months, are a direct consequence of excessive humidity ranges. Furthermore, the elevated moisture content material within the air can speed up corrosion and weathering of infrastructure, requiring particular upkeep concerns. Understanding the interaction between humidity and different climatic elements supplies a extra nuanced understanding of Bellingham’s atmosphere.
In abstract, humidity is a key element of Bellingham, Washington’s climate averages. Town’s coastal location and prevailing wind patterns contribute to constantly excessive humidity ranges, influencing perceived temperatures and impacting numerous facets of day by day life and the native atmosphere. Integrating humidity information with temperature, precipitation, and different local weather variables supplies a complete understanding of the area’s local weather, enabling knowledgeable decision-making for residents, companies, and guests. This understanding helps adaptation methods for managing the results of humidity and guaranteeing neighborhood resilience within the face of fixing local weather situations.
6. Wind
Wind patterns contribute considerably to Bellingham, Washington’s climate averages. Located between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, Bellingham experiences a fancy interaction of marine and terrestrial wind influences. Prevailing westerly winds, originating over the Pacific Ocean, transport moist air inland, contributing to the area’s excessive humidity and reasonable temperatures. These winds additionally affect precipitation patterns, bringing frequent rainfall, significantly in the course of the fall and winter months. The Cascade Mountains, performing as a barrier, create a rain shadow impact, lowering precipitation and rising sunshine east of Bellingham. Channeling results by means of mountain passes also can speed up wind speeds, creating localized gusts. Sometimes, easterly winds originating from inland areas carry drier and colder air lots throughout winter, doubtlessly resulting in snowfall or freezing temperatures. Understanding these wind patterns is essential for deciphering noticed climate averages and predicting future situations.
Analyzing wind information supplies beneficial insights into Bellingham’s local weather dynamics. Wind velocity and route information, collected over time, reveal prevailing wind patterns and differences due to the season. This data informs numerous sectors, from aviation and maritime operations to renewable vitality planning. For instance, the constant westerly winds make Bellingham an acceptable location for wind vitality technology. Moreover, understanding wind patterns helps predict the dispersion of air pollution and the motion of wildfire smoke, contributing to public well being and security measures. The affect of wind on native microclimates can be vital. Areas close to the coast expertise stronger winds and higher publicity to marine air, whereas inland areas are extra sheltered and topic to temperature inversions. Recognizing these microclimate variations is crucial for city planning and agricultural practices.
In abstract, wind is an integral element of Bellingham, Washington’s climate averages. The complicated interplay of marine and terrestrial wind influences shapes the area’s temperature, precipitation, and humidity patterns. Analyzing wind information supplies beneficial insights for numerous sectors, contributing to knowledgeable decision-making associated to renewable vitality, air high quality administration, and public security. Integrating wind information with different local weather metrics enhances the understanding of Bellingham’s local weather dynamics and helps the event of efficient adaptation methods for a altering local weather.
7. Seasonal Variations
Seasonal differences are integral to understanding Bellingham, Washington’s climate averages. Town’s local weather experiences distinct shifts all year long, influenced by its geographic location and the interaction of regional climate patterns. Analyzing these seasonal modifications supplies essential insights into the world’s total local weather dynamics and their impression on native ecosystems, industries, and day by day life.
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Temperature Fluctuations
Temperature experiences vital seasonal shifts in Bellingham. Summers are characterised by gentle temperatures, not often exceeding 80F (27C), whereas winters stay comparatively gentle, with common lows hovering round freezing. This reasonable temperature vary is influenced by the proximity to the Puget Sound, which moderates temperature extremes. These temperature fluctuations drive seasonal modifications in plant progress, animal conduct, and human actions, impacting agriculture, tourism, and vitality consumption.
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Precipitation Patterns
Bellingham’s precipitation displays distinct seasonal patterns. The wettest months sometimes happen between October and March, with rainfall contributing considerably to the area’s annual precipitation whole. Summers, conversely, expertise drier situations, though occasional rainfall occasions nonetheless happen. These seasonal precipitation patterns affect water useful resource administration, agricultural practices, and the danger of flooding and landslides.
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Sunshine Period
Sunshine length varies significantly all year long in Bellingham. Summers get pleasure from longer daytime and extra sunshine in comparison with winters, which expertise shorter days and elevated cloud cowl. This seasonal variation in daylight influences plant progress, vitamin D ranges in residents, and the potential for photo voltaic vitality technology. The diminished daylight throughout winter can impression temper and total well-being, whereas the prolonged daytime in summer time present ample alternative for out of doors recreation.
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Snowfall Incidence
Snowfall in Bellingham is primarily a winter phenomenon, sometimes occurring between December and February. Whereas the town receives comparatively low annual snowfall in comparison with different areas in Washington State, winter snow occasions can nonetheless disrupt transportation, impression infrastructure, and affect native ecosystems. The frequency and depth of snowfall occasions fluctuate from yr to yr, contributing to the dynamic nature of Bellingham’s winter local weather.
Understanding these differences due to the season is key to comprehending Bellingham’s climate averages. These cyclical modifications in temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and snowfall form the area’s atmosphere, influencing native industries, leisure alternatives, and day by day life. Analyzing these patterns supplies beneficial insights for long-term planning, useful resource administration, and local weather change adaptation methods.
Continuously Requested Questions on Bellingham, WA Climate
This part addresses frequent inquiries concerning Bellingham, Washington’s local weather, offering concise and informative responses based mostly on out there meteorological information.
Query 1: What’s the common annual rainfall in Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham sometimes receives over 30 inches of rain yearly.
Query 2: How a lot snow does Bellingham sometimes obtain annually?
Common annual snowfall in Bellingham is mostly lower than 10 inches.
Query 3: What are the warmest and coldest months in Bellingham?
July and August are sometimes the warmest months, whereas December and January are the coldest.
Query 4: How does Bellingham’s local weather examine to different areas in Washington State?
Bellingham experiences milder winters and cooler summers than many areas east of the Cascade Mountains as a result of its coastal location. It additionally receives extra precipitation than japanese Washington.
Query 5: How does the proximity to the Puget Sound have an effect on Bellingham’s climate?
The Puget Sound moderates temperatures, resulting in milder winters and cooler summers. It additionally contributes to larger humidity ranges.
Query 6: Are there microclimates inside Bellingham?
Sure, variations in elevation and proximity to the water create microclimates. Areas nearer to the coast are typically cooler and windier, whereas areas additional inland might expertise hotter temperatures and fewer wind.
Understanding these key facets of Bellingham’s climate supplies a basis for knowledgeable choices concerning dwelling, working, or visiting the world.
Additional exploration of particular local weather information and historic tendencies can present a extra complete understanding of Bellingham’s climate patterns.
Suggestions for Using Bellingham, WA Local weather Information
Efficient use of historic climate data permits knowledgeable decision-making concerning numerous actions and planning methods in Bellingham, Washington.
Tip 1: Planning Outside Actions: Seek the advice of historic climate information to find out optimum occasions for out of doors pursuits. Common temperature and precipitation patterns inform acceptable clothes decisions and exercise scheduling. For instance, hikers ought to test common rainfall for his or her meant climbing dates and pack accordingly.
Tip 2: Gardening and Landscaping: Understanding common frost dates and typical rising season lengths permits for efficient backyard planning. Deciding on acceptable crops based mostly on Bellingham’s local weather ensures profitable cultivation. Consulting historic daylight information can additional optimize plant placement and progress.
Tip 3: Residence Upkeep and Building: Historic precipitation and temperature information inform choices concerning roofing supplies, insulation, and drainage techniques. Understanding typical wind patterns aids in structural design and tree placement to attenuate storm injury.
Tip 4: Enterprise Operations: Companies, significantly these in tourism, agriculture, or development, profit from understanding seasonal climate variations. Historic information informs staffing choices, stock administration, and operational schedules, maximizing effectivity and minimizing weather-related disruptions.
Tip 5: Occasion Planning: When planning out of doors occasions, analyzing historic climate information for the precise time of yr helps decide acceptable venue choice, contingency plans, and crucial gear leases. Consciousness of typical wind and rainfall patterns informs choices concerning tenting, seating preparations, and potential occasion postponement.
Tip 6: Understanding Vitality Consumption: Historic temperature information facilitates predicting seasonal vitality wants for heating and cooling. This data aids in budgeting and implementing energy-saving methods. Analyzing historic sunshine information can inform choices concerning photo voltaic panel set up and anticipated vitality output.
Leveraging historic climate information empowers people and organizations to make knowledgeable choices, optimize useful resource allocation, and improve preparedness for numerous climate situations in Bellingham, Washington.
By understanding and making use of these insights, residents and guests can higher adapt to the distinctive traits of Bellingham’s local weather.
Conclusion
Typical climate patterns in Bellingham, Washington, characterised by reasonable temperatures, vital rainfall, and distinct differences due to the season, form the area’s atmosphere and affect quite a few human actions. Proximity to the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains creates a singular local weather characterised by gentle winters, cool summers, and comparatively excessive humidity. Annual precipitation, primarily within the type of rainfall, exceeds 30 inches, whereas snowfall stays modest. Sunshine length varies seasonally, with longer days and elevated sunshine throughout summer time months. Wind patterns, influenced by each marine and terrestrial elements, contribute to the area’s total climate dynamics. Understanding these climatic elements supplies important context for knowledgeable decision-making throughout numerous sectors, from city planning and agriculture to tourism and infrastructure growth.
A complete understanding of Bellingham’s climate averages supplies a basis for adapting to and mitigating potential local weather change impacts. Continued monitoring and evaluation of climate information will contribute to sophisticated predictive fashions and enhanced neighborhood preparedness. This data empowers knowledgeable decision-making concerning useful resource administration, infrastructure growth, and long-term sustainability efforts. Correct evaluation of Bellingham’s local weather patterns stays essential for navigating future environmental challenges and guaranteeing the area’s continued resilience.
