WINTER IN WASHINGTON AND BC

Winter in the Pacific Northwest depends on whether one is east or west of the huge mountain ranges that go north-south through Oregon, Washington and BC. Actually BC has several such N/S ranges: Since the Pacific Ocean's prevailing winds are from the SW almost all the time, the western slopes are protected largely from severe cold. Temperatures in winter usually run about 40-55 daytimes and it seldom freezes (but does sometimes) at night .In winter from about November-March it rains off and on. By about June and until maybe October, it barely ever rains at all. On the eastern slopes, though, winter weather is much like that near the international borders across the whole country--cold, drier, some or lots of snow that stays.

The Columbia River begins in eastern BC, so winter is a glorious, bright, snowy time. Snow sports are great most places until the river reaches south to about the Oregon-Washington border, when it eases into the warmer side. We are lucky, because we can drive east and enjoy skiing or stay west and take off our jackets on sine winter days, or beachcomb or hike. When the weather man broadcasts it, I love to drop everything and drive asap to the Pacific beaches to marvel at the huge winter waves  that sometimes develop. .