Good news, Washingtonians: We're about to kick off 2019 with a somewhat rare celestial event, a total lunar eclipse. In less than a week, the first and only blood moon of 2019 will occur -- and it will be fully visible from our state.
On January 20-21, the sky will be dominated by a total lunar eclipse, often called a blood moon.
This phenomenon occurs when the Earth's shadow blocks the sun's light, which otherwise reflects off the moon. When a total eclipse happens, the moon appears orange or red for awhile, hence the name.
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Here's another cool fact: The first full moon of the year is called a wolf moon (according to the Old Farmer's Almanac). This means the coming eclipse is called the Super Blood Wolf Moon.
And while that sounds like something out of a horror story, the event will actually be beautiful. A total lunar eclipse only happens once every two years, so you won't want to miss this one.
The total lunar eclipse will last approximately five hours from the first signs of the partial eclipse to the end.
Here in Washington, the full eclipse begins at 8:41 p.m., with the maximum viewing time being 9:12. The full eclipse ends here at 9:43 p.m., and the whole thing will be over by about 11 p.m.
Your viewing experience will depend on the weather's cooperation -- you'll have better luck on a clear night.
The Super Blood Wolf Moon will be visible from all of North and South America and partially visible from almost everywhere in the world.
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The total lunar eclipse is definitely worth seeing, even if you're not much of a night owl. If nothing else, it will remind you of how beautiful the Washington night sky is.
Locate your snowboots and dust the spiderwebs off your skis! The experts at the Old Farmers' Almanac have released the 2024 winter forecast for Washington State, and they're predicting a bit of a milder winter this year! If you're disinclined to endure Washington's wintery blusters, there's good news for you, too. Keep reading to learn more about what the upcoming season has in store for us all.
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Admittedly, residents west of the Cascades have a poor track record dealing with snowfall. What Eastern Washingtonians would consider a light sprinkling wreaks havoc in areas like King County, where past storms have earned formidable names like Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, and Snowzilla.
But for Washingtonians who'd prefer not to be "walking in a winter wonderland," there's good news, too. This year's conditions ensure we might just see a drier winter for most of the state (except for the western half, they'll get plenty of snow). While Intermountain areas like the Cascade range will receive above-average snow as usual these last few seasons, we'll cope with less precipitation than usual at lower elevations. Strangely, I'm okay with this.
The Almanac predicts that snowfall will be greatest from mid-to-late December through the middle of January. Plan your winter excursions for these weeks to coincide with fresh deposits of powdery snow! I guess only time can tell, but I'm pretty excited myself.
But it's important to clarify: less precipitation doesn't necessarily mean warmer weather. The experts still agree that winter temperatures throughout the Pacific Northwest will be colder than is usual for our bioregion. Invest in reliable winter clothes and prepare your battle positions at the thermostat!
It's also worth noting that other experts have predicted a particularly wet Washington winter, even closer to sea level. The truth is, the Farmer's Almanac is fun - but there's no way to accurately predict an entire season ahead of time. But hey, it's fun - especially to see whether or not things pan out. We Washingtonians aren't strangers to taking forecasts with a grain of salt, anyway. In the Northwest, it's always helpful to hope for the best but prepare for the worst regarding weather.
Whether lower elevations get their usual sluicing later this year or not, one thing is certain: the 2024 winter forecast for Washington has the usual chilliness and plenty of snow up north. Pack your cars with essential cold-weather gear and block out a weekend to explore some of the most amazing winter trails in Washington! If you're a fan of spending the cold weather inside, winter resorts in Washington state are where it's at, with all sorts of amenities to ensure you and yours stay warm and toasty throughout the winter.
So, what is there to do in Washington in the winter? Plenty! With as much snow as we get, it's easy to fall in love with the season through activities like sledding, ice skating, and, of course, hiking. You read that right - hiking in Washington might just be the best in the winter, if you ask me! Other delightful things one must add to their wintry to-do list include visiting some of the cutest Christmas towns in Washington, attending all sorts of fun winter festivals, and lots more.
For more information, be sure to check out the official Farmer's Almanac website. Planning to visit and need somewhere to stay? Check out all the coolest offerings from our friends at VRBO.
Do you have a favorite iconic hiking trail in Nebraska? Tell me all about it in the comments.
Are you looking to explore the most beautiful places in our state this autumn? Then you might be wondering: "When do leaves change color in Washington?" With this helpful map from the experts at Smoky Mountains, timing your visits to correspond with the region's brightest fall foliage displays has never been easier.
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While the guide isn't an exact science, this tool uses all available data, as well as helpful contributions from local leaf peepers like you, to predict this autumn's rollout of fall color.
Seattle Arboretum Japanese Garden Fall Colors Trees and Leaves Reflection in the Pond
By the end of September, residents of Seattle will be enjoying trees adorned in metallic golds and vibrant reds. Strolling through the arboretum will give you a fabulous look at these spectacular colors.
For good reason, maples and other deciduous trees get the most glory for their gorgeous autumn displays. But don't forget about alpine forests! By early October, the groundcovers and shrubs of Mount Rainier will give lower-elevation maples a run for their money.
By early October, the foliage in Whatcom County should be at its best. It's worth setting aside an hour or two to wander through Whatcom Falls Park to appreciate the delicate orange leaves.
Around the same time, larches in the North Cascades turn stunning shades of yellow. These unique trees are one of the only deciduous conifers in the world, and they paint the rugged mountain slopes with spectacular washes of color.
On the east side of the Cascade mountain range, meander along the Spokane River and delight in the autumn hues. These colors are estimated to pass their peak by the end of October, so plan your visit accordingly!
Have you used the Smoky Mountains map in the past? If so, were their predictions useful in your quest to catch the best fall foliage? Whether it did or didn't answer your question, "When do leaves change color in Washington?" we want to know!
