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Embrace the cloudy, gray and rainy days at local parks and beaches. Photo: iStock
Embracing stormy weather
When we talk about Seattle-area weather, we have a lot to talk about. On any given day between September and, say, July, we can experience squalls, gales, fog and rain in its many actions: pouring, spitting, drizzling, misting, pelting sideways and so on.
In winter these weather phenomena are in peak display — so what is there to do but embrace the bad weather? After all, our weather is one of the spectacular natural forces that molds our landscape and decks it out in the lushest green. Many places around Puget Sound are situated to provide a front-row seat to our wild weather. Gather your crew, suit up in your rain gear and head to one of these fantastic spots for weather watching:
- Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie
- Discovery Park, Seattle
- Kerry Park, Seattle
- Chambers Creek Regional Park, University Place
- Saltwater State Park, Des Moines
- Marina Beach Park, Edmonds
- Lincoln Park, West Seattle
- Tolt-MacDonald Park, Carnation
- Coal Creek Falls, Bellevue
One note: These spots are fun to visit in stormy weather, but keep in mind that conditions can change quickly this time of year. Be sure to check weather forecasts and local advisories before heading out. Stick to well-maintained routes, avoid flooded or unstable areas and always err on the side of caution. In the event of extreme weather warnings, it’s best to stay home.
First stop: Snoqualmie Falls
More rainy day ideas for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2015, and was most recently updated on Jan. 13, 2026, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check. Nancy Chaney contributed to this article.
