Rain in Seattle

Coletha Albert

Here we are between the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, Halloween and The 2012 Elections and it's raining in Seattle!

Rain

Rain is not something that is customary in Seattle, drizzle is...constant drizzle. Well, it's been raining, not sprinkling, not our normal drizzle. Before this we had weeks of sunshine, so much so I breathed a sigh of relief when the gray skies returned. I must admit I was worried, I like a little sunshine which is customary here in Seattle but weeks and weeks is frightening...What does it mean? Does it mean that this winter we will have a blizzard? Does it mean that we will get an earthquake?

We haven't had an earthquake in a while it's true, however, we didn't use to get snow until late 2008, early 2009. The summer of 2009 was so balmy Seattleites were developing heat strokes. The weather has become more harsh and unpredictable ever since. In April 2009 there was snow in Seattle, then in May 2009 we had 90 degree weather! Scary. The weather here is usually mild all year round with 42 shades of gray skies and drizzle so light, no one used umbrellas except for tourists.

Now the week of Halloween it's raining, rain like a thunder storm, except no thunder and lightning. It makes me wonder what will happen by December?

Snow

I was once in Butte, Montana and the snow was 6 feet deep...it was eerily quiet with no traffic of any kind. I felt like I was the only human left on earth that night...Butte receives a healthy helping of snow every winter so this night was the norm for them. I wonder about Seattle...I have laid in bed at night recently and listened to this rain falling heavily on my rooftop reminding me of Houston's thunder storms. The pounding makes me nervous and I can only sleep so long before getting up out of bed to look out the windows and check the doors...this rain freaks me out. I remember last winter, it was so cold as huge fat snowflakes fell in Seattle...Last summer wasn't as hot as this one so I know snow is coming but will it be a blizzard? Will we lose power? Should I dig out the generator just in case? Buy some kerosene and more candles? Wash the old blankets I stored away this past March and buy more thermal underwear?

I am thinking: Yes. I hope I am incorrect but judging by the amount of real rain we have been getting it's a safe bet that this winter will be a harsh one. A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For now I am just anxiously listening to all this rain come down...