Randy stays much cooler during the summer and more humid. Plus his summer precip is more regular, with semi-consistent CZ's, and him being ~50 miles closer to the AK storm train (that made the difference with last week's rain) Your area does squeeze the most out of every system, but you see such systems less frequently, and are about as cut off from marine influence as you can get in the Puget Sound basin. Randy's evaporation rates are probably one third yours, and with similar precip overall

Good one, we changed course in late June like I said a couple days ago. And said was likely going to happen about a week before it actually did.

In theory, yes. A mild (or torch?) early winter would help keep lake temps up and then that could be taken advantage of once some colder airmasses arrive.

And from the "what the hell" files, there was a 2.9 earthquake in Lake Michigan northeast of Evanston, IL at 2:38 pm. Looks like some folks felt it.

Great point, time for an update! PDX is running about 8 degrees below 2015's pace. Some updated, super fun SEA stats... 2015 through 7/8 80+ days: 22 85+ days: 15 90+ days: 6 2026 80+ days: 12 85+ days: 7 90+ days: 2 Since I live in CO, I could be wrong but seems to be a bit more maritime influence so far this year. Outside of Shawnigan Lake, of course.