December 2023 has officially been recorded as the warmest December ever in western Washington, beating the previous record from 2014, according to the National Weather Service.
In Seattle, the average daily temperature last month was 45.5 degrees, edging out the old record of 45.3 degrees set in 2014. Olympia also set a new high with an average daily temperature of 45.5 degrees, surpassing the 1950 record of 45 degrees. Quillayute saw the biggest jump, with temperatures rising to an average of 48 degrees from the previous record of 44.5 degrees in 2018.
Mike Everett, the chief meteorologist at KING 5, noted that while this warmer weather is a welcome break after three years of cold and stormy La Niña conditions, it does pose challenges. “We depend on cold and wet weather to get us through the year,” Everett said.
The Climate Prediction Center forecasts that temperatures in Washington state will likely remain above normal from January through March. Despite a wet December, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded 34.97 inches of rain for the year, which is about 5 inches below the average annual rainfall.
Everett emphasized that winter isn’t over yet, and the coming months are critical. “Long-term models indicate that January will be colder, which should help increase the snowpack,” he said. An unusually warm and dry winter could result in a severe wildfire season and potential water restrictions.
This record-breaking December underscores the need to closely monitor and adapt to climate trends, as they can have significant local impacts.