First autumn in Seattle? Here’s a weather calendar for what to expect…

Autumn is here! 🍁 It’s certainly my favorite season of the year, and I’ve seen from my comments that I’m not alone.

But as we say good bye to summer and the dry season, I’ve prepared a handy calendar to know what’s next as we begin the journey toward winter.

(Pass along to anyone who is spending their first autumn in Seattle!)

SEPTMEBER

September 22: Autumnal Equinox / First day of autumn. Daylight is equal across the planet.
September 23: Average high drops below 70.

OCTOBER

October 1: Rainy season officially begins
October 2: Sun fans are officially tired of rainy season
First week of October: Seattleites scour long range forecast and plan pumpkin patch visits on its one dry weekend day shown.
October 5: Christmas music starts playing in the stores.
October 6: Seattle daily rainfall average crosses 0.10”
October 9: 3-day Summer Rebound Fakeout as we pair three dry days together. Pumpkin Patch plans get finalized.
October 11: Dry pumpkin patch forecast suddenly turns wetter but it’s too late to change plans.
October 13: Muddy trip to pumpkin patch.
October 16: Last 80 degree day of the year in Seattle records.
October 17: Average high drops below 60 / Date of Seattle’s earliest measurable snow.
October 19: Daily average pumpkin spice latte consumption peaks at 3.2
October 20: Figuring the autumn tree foliage has passed, you rake your lawn for the first time since summer and can see grass again
Third week of October: Stormy Season Begins
October 22: As wind alerts get issued, Scott gets first of dozens of emails asking if they’re in the “Northwest Interior”.
October 23: Windstorm re-covers your lawn in leaves
October 25: Glance at Halloween forecast and start panicking over how to waterproof your kids’ costumes
October 27: Sunset now in the 5 p.m. hour
October 31: The great Seattle Halloween Conundrum begins: You can only carry two: Candy bucket, flashlight, umbrella.

NOVEMBER

November 1: Sunset now in the 4 p.m. hour due to Daylight Savings Time ending. (Yes, “Savings”. I said it with an ’s’. I don’t care, the grammar police is wrong.)
November 2: Widespread bewilderment realizing British Columbia is now an hour ahead of Seattle.
November 4: Stormy day makes sunset feel like in the 2 p.m. hour
November 5: Seattle daily rainfall average crosses 0.20”
November 8: Somehow more leaves find their way to your lawn.
November 12: 3-hour Summer Rebound Fakeout as the sun comes out between 12:11 p.m. and 3:12 p.m.
November 15: Facebook algorithm flooded with weather as Day 15 of forecast model run shows 9.2” of snow falling in Seattle on November 30.
November 19: Statistical day most likely to rain in Seattle.
November 26 (Thanksgiving): Average high drops below 50
November 30: It’s 53 degrees and just mostly cloudy. But that December 15 forecast…

DECEMBER

December 5: 3-minute Summer Rebound Fakeout as sun break spotted between 2:24 and 2:27 p.m. Folks in Vancouver miss witnessing this incredible sight because they looked an hour too early.
December 7: Seattle has its earliest sunset at 4:17 p.m., two weeks before the winter solstice. (Yes it’s a real thing due to what’s called the “Equation of Time”. Look it up 😉 )
December 12: Is that another leaf?
December 15: Still no snow. But the GFS model for Christmas….
December 21: AUTUMN ENDS!