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belanga · 09-05-2015, 08:06 AM

We are thinking about driving the west coast from LA to Washington state around end of March thru April in 2016. Anyone know what the normal weather is like at that time of year. Don't want to be driving in snow and ice. Never have done this but I know the further north a person goes in most place at that time of year, that could happen. Any thoughts would assist me with my plans.

TMan59 · 09-05-2015, 09:46 AM

Hope this helps:

I would advise you to come up 101 from the bay area, little chance of any snow this way. (Avoiding Grants pass, I-5).

This is "normal" weather in Washington in March.
It can be sunny and 60 degrees, for a week straight, it can rain sideways and be 50 degrees for a week straight, or it can rain one day, be nice the next for a week straight.
Just depends what week(s) you are here.
There is a chance of frosty mornings, but not
"freezing, gotta worry" type cold.
The closer you are to the ocean, the more moderate the temps as the ocean keeps it from getting too cold here.
It can freeze in Seattle but be 40 degrees at the ocean in the morning.

The east side the state can be really cold that time of year, Oregon and Wash both.

twogypsies · 09-05-2015, 10:31 AM

Here's the weather history for the month of March for Crescent City, California - midway for your trip. You can also check on different cities along your route to get an idea. As you know, weather is not predictable.

Weather History for Crescent City, CA | Weather Underground

1ciderdog · 09-05-2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belanga

We are thinking about driving the west coast from LA to Washington state around end of March thru April in 2016. Anyone know what the normal weather is like at that time of year. Don't want to be driving in snow and ice. Never have done this but I know the further north a person goes in most place at that time of year, that could happen. Any thoughts would assist me with my plans.

If you are planning on traveling on I-5 you could possibly hit snow in the Northern California and southern Oregon mountains but roads are normally cleared in a day or so. If going up HWY 101 you'd might have rain and fog but not likely snow. That's my guess. I travel I-5 Grants Pass to central CA several times a year.

lcsparky · 09-08-2015, 11:25 PM

If you decide to use I-5. Take a right (East) at Redding. Head to Burney Falls State Park. Absolutely beautiful. South of Burney Falls is HatCreek. See the Hat Creek Radio Observatory. The 20ft radio telescopes are used at night for SETI. Pretty cool to walk around them