Steve Pool

Q. Why is Sequim so dry?

A. Sequim is the driest spot in Western Washington, getting just 18 inches of rain a year. And it can thank its proximity to the Olympic Mountains. Most of our rainy weather around here comes from the southwest. The moist air will rise up the southwest side of the Olympics then condense and squeeze out its moisture. (Think of the Olympics as a big sponge in this case). That's why the Olympic rain forests get more than 200 inches of rain a year.

On the flip side, once the air reaches the summit, all its moisture is gone. Plus, as it then goes down the northwest side of the Olympics, it sinks and dries out - right over Sequim! That's known as the Olympic rain shadow.

 - - Seattle Post Intelligencer, Feb 2004

(Steve Pool is the weatherman for ABC's KOMO TV in Seattle.)

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