Think Seattle Is Grey in the Winter? Think Again.

I frankly don’t know why Seattle gets a bad rep when it comes to weather. The weather is mild, rarely extremely hot or extremely cold. It rains, sure, but we seldom get a downpour; in fact, most days few of us even bother with umbrellas. We get snow in the city only about a couple of times a year, but we can drive less than an hour to a ski resort for our snow fix. Even when it is grey and cloudy, moody and broody is a good look on Seattle. I have fallen in love with this city and I am okay with our gloomy, bad weather days, they just make me appreciate our good days even more. And there are good, beautiful, clear, color-rich days. Don’t believe me? Check out some of my favorite photos taken during winter here.

1

Hot pink

Some of the best sunrises of the year happen in winter. This one was in December, and it's one of the best I have ever seen here. Mount Rainer rises up to greet the sun.

2

Fiery orange

A Washington state ferry heads toward the Olympic Mountains and into a fiery sunset.

3

Rainy purple

All the rain offers some lovely reflection possibilities, doubling the color in the shot. Seen here is the Seattle Great Wheel and a puddle on one of the Elliot Bay piers.

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4

Twinkling red and green

Seattle comes alive for Christmas and the holidays. This is the Macy's Christmas star and the Westlake Center's Christmas tree bringing cheer after dark.

5

Magenta and orange

Around New Year's Eve, the Space Needle is turned magenta, as the fireworks (at midnight) are sponsored by T-mobile. Mount Rainer towers in the background.

6

Alpenglow pink

Weather changes this time of year bring lenticular clouds around Mount Rainer. These types of clouds are not only lovely and soft but catch the light in a beautiful way. While we get lots of rain, winter also brings crisp clear days to see Rainer in all its glory.

7

Traffic-light red

Sunset and rushhour coincide in the winter, and nature puts on a show while everyone waits to get home.

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8

Blue moon

Winter is a great time to catch the full moon on a clear night. The sky is cold and crisp but you can see all the details of the face.

9

Purple (non)haze

Summers are sometimes rife with humidity and haze. While a bit chilly, this view on a clear winter day is just incomparable and the clarity is unmatched.

10

Neon Pink

The iconic public market spills pink puddles all over the wet road after a good rain. And yes, it rains. And yes, sometimes it is grey. But it's also so much more than those two things!