Seattle is consistently rated as one of the most attractive and livable cities in North America. With the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges visible to the west and east, Mount Rainier dominating the southeastern skyline, and the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of Lake Washington bordering the city on two sides, Seattle is surrounded by natural beauty. Seattle's climate is mild, with cool winters and warm summers. Although it has a reputation as a rainy city, Seattle's average annual precipitation is less than that of Boston or New York. Typical winter days are partly to mostly cloudy and drizzly; but most days from late spring through early fall are sunny and dry.