One of the best things about Washington State is the diversity of its landscape and climate. Most people associate Washington, and the Pacific Northwest, with grey skies and constant showers. Although this is fairly common for cities on the ocean coast, the climate actually varies greatly throughout the state.
Washington is traversed by the Cascade Mountain range, which provides some of the best skiing in the country. The central and eastern portions of the state have vast plains and experience more extreme temperatures, reaching over 100°F in the summer and sub 0°F in the winter. To the south there is the mighty Columbia River and the Grand Coulee Dam. Despite the rain stereotype, there are many great Washington hiking trails and outdoor activities to take advantage of anytime of the year.
