Where’s the Mountain? Behind Seattle’s Gray

Posted on May 17, 2021 by

26 Comments

The bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle, sang Perry Como.

Perhaps they are – just not often enough! 😉

It turns out that Seattle is one of the cloudiest cities in the country, with over 300 cloudy days a year on average. Which means there are many days when clouds obscure that beautiful mountain to the south.

In fact, many a traveler has come to Seattle hoping to see the elusive Mt. Rainier, only to find it shrouded in clouds.

Sometimes the clouds are indistinguishable, a mass of milky gray blanketing the sky. Other times they are threatening and ominous, like when they hovered over the city on our second ever cruise.

We watched and waited as they threatened, then made good on their promise.

Fortunately for us the rain stayed south and was short lived. We left Seattle high and dry, enjoying a perfect sunset later at sea.

Still – it might be time to add a new verse to the song.

“The bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle. Perhaps the grayest too.”

For Sunday Stills, Gray.

~ Susanne

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26 Comments on “Where’s the Mountain? Behind Seattle’s Gray”

  1. We had some threatening skies in Beetley today. I know that feeling all too well.
    Nice cloud photos, Susanne.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Thanks Pete. The Perry Como song always makes me smile. ‘The bluest skies.’ Really? Well yes. But also the grayest! 🙂

  2. Well I’ve come here from Ireland and I think it rains far more in Ireland. Ireland – rainier, cloudier,colder.

    • I don’t doubt it. Seattle has a mild maritime climate with warm dry summers. But it’s also rainy and overcast from November to April, with lots of cloudy skies. But I was born and raised here and love it all!

  3. We are so excited to be visiting Seattle and Mt. Rainier in June!

  4. Love it, the “grayest skies!” I would have to agree but 300 days a year? Your shots of the approaching storm and all the grays are spectacular, Susanne! Wonderful payout though on the sunset!

    • Thanks Terri! 🙂 Around 300 days or so with some level of cloud cover, not necessarily heavy clouds or rain, according to several sites I googled. Sounds worse than it is I guess. It’s funny because I don’t normally photograph a gray and angry sky but since I was standing on the cruise ship I did! It was quite dramatic and I was happy when the rain didn’t travel further north where we were ready to sail. 🙂

    • Thanks so much! The stormy sky over Seattle from the cruise ship was something to behold! And though we do have many cloudy days here, they are often only ‘partially cloudy’ with ‘sunbreaks’ and make for some interesting photos. 🙂

      • I brought a show into Seattle Rep, many years ago. I fell in love with the city and the friendly people.

      • Wonderful! I went to the Rep myself many years ago! Rain or shine, Seattle will always be my favorite city! 🙂

  6. As a Seattle ex-pat from decades ago we used to joke about Mt. Rainier being “just rolled out for visiting dignitaries and tourists.”

  7. I love the drama of your shot of the rain to the south of Seattle, but also of course Mt Rainier in all its glory! We were lucky and had nothing but sunshine in Seattle, including fabulous views of Rainier and also the Olympic Peninsula from the Space Needle. I loved the city!

    • Wonderful! I’m glad you got to see the Mountain in all its glory!! Seattle is a great place to visit especially if you catch good weather!

  9. Wonderful shot of Mt. Rainier!! I love whenever I get to see it. It always looks like it’s just “hanging” in the sky.

    • Thanks so much! I love seeing it too even after so many years. I took that picture of Rainier from a ferry.

  10. Pingback: Sunday Stills: Favorite #Vacation Spot – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

  11. I missed your post last week..I’ve been making it a habit to go through Terris list because I discover I missed many when I just go by who comments.

    I grew up near Seattle (about 30 minute east), and now live 30 miles north of Portland. Gray skies definitely come with the territory but when the blue comes out, it’s stunning. The Olympic mountains were always a favorite to see.

    • Thanks for dropping by! I love the Sunday Stills challenge! We’re definitely used to gray in the Pacific NW, but have plenty of beautiful blue too! I’m heading over to your blog next. 🙂

  12. Your pictures are fabulous. Mr. Rainier looks like the home of the gods hovering above the city. Your city sky lines bring back memories. I have actually seen Mr. Rainier from Seattle on a sunny day. My first husband came from Mt. Vernon, WA and moved to Seattle when he was a kid. We visited his family about every three weeks when we lived in Portland. I saw a lot of gray skies there, but also some beautiful days and gorgeous flowers.

    • Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad you got to see Mt. Rainier! We do have wonderful sunny days along with the gray ones. And we appreciate the rain too as it keeps everything green! 🙂

      • Small world. Yes, Seattle stays very green. I wish now I hadn’t sold my husband’s mom’s house after he passed.

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