西北的天气

因为西雅图的天气多雨，希望能够灵活一些（或者碰上雨了无处可逃：）），比如下雨的天气在市里，等到天好去爬山观海（有点wishful:)，who would not?:))。
Here are a few rules of thumb about the infamous rain in Seattle:
1. Generally, and even more so in summer, weather in Seattle metro tends to be foggy, overcasting, or even wet in the MORNING and then clears up later in the day. This weather pattern even fools people who have lived here for years. So if you wake up to a grey sky (and you often times will), don't get turned off as the sunny side will often come later.
2. The complexity of the local geographical features (mountain ranges, sea, lakes, etc) plays a significant role in the weather pattern. As you fly over Seattle for landing, look outside the window and you will understand this. All those hills and waters tranlate into highly localized weathers. Your hotel might be rained on but a few miles away, it could be perfectly nice and sunny. This past week was a perfect example - as I watched snow flakes flurring in my backyard, on the phone my friend 10 miles south of me was enjoying a nice walk in the sun.
So check the weather forecast (which is almost always right and also always wrong at the same time, depending on where you are) and if it says showers, rain and sun will come and go interchangeably (remember 1 & 2 above) and you should be OK.
3. Certain areas are generally always nicer and sunnier. East slopes of the Cascade range (more on Cascade later on) is much much drier on any given day and north (Bellingham and San Juan) is also sunnier than Seattle metro. So on rainy days, go east over the moutain passes to the other side of the Cascade. On Olympic pennisula (where Olympic NP sits), weather changes a lot too as you move around. East of the Olympic Mountains (places such as Sequim and Port Angeles), the so called Banana Strip, get a lot more sun than west of Olympic Mountains. Place such as Forks (close to the Hoe Rain Forest and La Push) is probably the rainiest spot in N America. In late May, I would expect to see rain on the Pacific Ocean side of Olympic NP, although there could be exceptions.
4. There are certain numbers you can call to find out, for example, the visibility of Mt Rainier. I'll look around and let you the number for Rainier when I find it.
1。如果去OlympicNP, 玩两天的话，是否可以在公园里住一夜？
I have not stayed at a cabin in Olympic NP but I really would love to spend some time at the cabins at Lake Crecent. My guess is you probably need to get your own food somewhere else. Port Angeles probably has the most lodging options since it's the largest town in the area. Kalaluch Lodge probably has the best view on the Pacific Ocean side (I love the campground there). One caution, if you plan to stay at these places, be sure to find out what time their front/registration desk closes and ask them where you can pick up your room key in case you arrive late (I know Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort in Olympic NP shuts the door early and leaves the key somewhere for late arrived guests).

2。mt. rainier要多少时间？如果飞机到的时候是上午，天气又好，是否来的及？
If you arrive in the morning, you should have enough time to go to Rainier. Remember, in late May you have longer days.

3。mt. cascade从市里一天来回可以吗？去mt.baker需要几天？
Do you mean North Cascade NP? Cascade is a mountain range that runs from WA to Oregon and in California it become the Sierra Mountains (of which Yosemite is a part of). And I think the second part of your question is asking for Mt Shuksan (Picture Lake is that famous lake with the Shuksan Reflection)?
If you plan to stay in the city, you may consider cut your driving by combining your visit to N Cascade NP with Mt Shuksan/Mt Baker, as there is quite a bit of overlapping driving. It probably will be a long day with lots of driving. To N Cascade National NP, as you drive east on Hwy 20, you can end your visit at Diablo Lakes overlook on Hwy 20 and turn around there. Off Hwy 20, you can connect to Hwy 9 north bound and then connect to Hwy 542, which will take you the beautiful Picture Lake with the Mt Shuksan reflection. In May, Artist Point, the end of Hwy 542 won't be open but you should be able to get to Picture Lake. Last year, Artist point opened in mid July.

I hope this helps, rather than confuses. I know I can probably write a book on this but feel free to ask questions.