West of the Cascades the weather is wet and mild, with most rain falling from October to March and windstorms in fall and winter. For a garage door, that means checking seals and rust before the wet season, knowing the manual release before an outage, and giving older doors a closer look. Here is what to check and when.
The west side climate
The Office of the Washington State Climatologist describes western Washington as greatly influenced by the ocean, and much wetter and milder than eastern Washington. That mild, wet pattern is what a garage door in Kirkland, Redmond, Everett or Tacoma works through.
A summary of NOAA data on the climate of Seattle says the cool-season storm track delivers the great majority of the city's annual precipitation between October and March. The same source records several large windstorms in the region's past, which is why the wind section below matters.
Rain and moisture
Moisture finds the bottom of a door first. The bottom seal, the lowest section and the rollers and hinges near the floor stay damp longest. Garaga notes that springs can be affected by rust, so a door in a damp garage deserves a look at its metal parts as well as its seal.
Clopay advises inspecting seals each fall and replacing them every few years, or sooner if they turn stiff or brittle. Doing it before the wet season starts is simple timing.
Wind and power outages
The City of Newcastle says windstorms can happen year-round in western Washington but are most common in fall and winter, and that high winds can knock down trees and branches, damage roofs and cause power outages. After an outage the garage door may be the only way into the house.
Overhead Door explains that the red release cord should be pulled only when the door is fully down, and that if a door is stuck partway open you should call a technician. It also says newer openers include batteries that can run the door during an outage.
Pull the red handle once with the door closed, lift the door a little, and reconnect it. If lifting takes extreme effort, a spring may be broken. Stop and call for service.
Older homes and older doors
A study by Construction Coverage, reported by FOX 13 Seattle in March 2026, found that 43.3% of Seattle homes were built before 1980. That figure is for the city of Seattle, not for every town around it, but it is a reminder that many doors and openers in the region have been working for a long time.
An older door may still have its original springs, cables and opener. Age is not a fault by itself. It is a reason to have the whole system looked at together, and to compare repair against replacement. See what repairs cost in Washington.
What to check by season
| Season | What to check | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Bottom seal, side weatherstripping, the release handle | Wet season and windstorm season both start |
| Winter | Rust on hinges and springs, door travel after storms, battery backup | Most rain falls from October to March |
| Spring | Rollers, tracks, sensor lenses | Clear what winter left behind |
| Summer | Door balance and opener noise | A quiet season to book non-urgent work |
A checklist, not a diagnosis.
Typical jobs and choosing a company
- Replacing worn seals and rollers before the wet season
- Replacing broken torsion springs and lift cables
- Opener repair or a replacement with battery backup
- Replacing an older door that has outlived its parts
Washington Labor & Industries advises verifying a contractor's registration, comparing written bids and paying for completed phases of work. See garage door repair and new garage doors.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Washington, including Kirkland, Everett, Tacoma and Redmond. Call or send your details and what the door does.
Questions people ask
When does it rain most around Seattle?
A summary of NOAA data says the great majority of Seattle's annual precipitation falls between October and March.
Can I open my garage door in a power outage?
Yes. With the door fully down, pull the red release cord to disconnect the opener. Newer openers may have battery backup. If lifting takes extreme effort, a spring may be broken, so stop.
When do windstorms happen in western Washington?
The City of Newcastle says they are most common in fall and winter, though they can happen year-round.
Should an older garage door be replaced?
Not automatically. Have the springs, cables, rollers and opener checked, then compare the cost of repair with a new door.
More guides
Sources
- Office of the Washington State Climatologist: Washington climate (eastern Washington colder in winter, western Washington wetter and milder, Cascade rain shadow)
- Climate of Seattle (cites NOAA data): wet season from October to March, windstorm history
- City of Newcastle, Washington: About wind hazards (windstorm season, outages, preparation)
- Overhead Door: How to open a garage door manually after a power outage (release cord, door fully down, broken spring sign, battery backup)
- FOX 13 Seattle, March 24, 2026: New study reveals extent of Seattle's aging housing stock (Construction Coverage study)
- Washington Labor & Industries: Hire smart step by step (verify registration, written bids, contract contents, payments)
- Clopay: Insulated garage doors for cold climates (R-values by insulation type, seals, attached garages)
- Garaga: The secrets of garage door torsion springs (cycle rating, lifespan, rust and cold weather, do not repair them yourself)