West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle Weather Watch: No, not a sign of things to come

The snowplow we saw at 35th/Morgan today must just have been SDOT on more test runs, because there is nothing even resembling snow in our forecast any time soon. Another round of wind is on the way, though, with an official wind advisory in effect till 1 am; the current forecast isn’t calling for anything above 40 mph.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Rain — then sun — then this!

No wide-angle lens so we couldn’t get the full arc, but there’s most of it, looking northeast from Gatewood a few moments ago. As for the afternoon forecast - looks like the gusty wind, up to 40 mph, may return as soon as tomorrow afternoon.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Flooding report; more wind tomorrow

Two weather notes. First, a note this morning from Kimber:

I am wondering if there have been other basements flooding in the area. I’ve been up all night trying to stay on top of the foot of water in my basement. Are others having the same problems? I live SW of the Junction on 38th south of the firehouse.

Second, the forecast - sun’s out now and today looks fairly calm, but more rain, with wind gusting up to 40 mph, is predicted by tomorrow night.

West Seattle Weather Watch: The worst of the wind may miss us

If you were with us last winter, you know we often mention the National Weather Service “forecast discussions” as a source of behind-the-scenes details elaborating on the forecasts themselves. The newest one says the worst of the next round of wind, late tonight, is most likely to hit north of the city. Be ready anyway, of course. 12:24 PM UPDATE: Cliff Mass has updated his site; he’s expecting 30-40 mph in the city, not much more than we saw overnight.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Forecasters say wind’s on the way

Heads up from the National Weather Service: A wind advisory is in effect till 6 pm Monday, upgrading to a high wind watch Monday night through Tuesday afternoon, possibly with gusts as high as 60 mph. Famous forecaster Cliff Mass says a “major event” is possible - but adds that some forecasting models disagree. Not sure you’re ready? There’s good advice at Take Winter By Storm. 9:36 PM UPDATE: The wind advisory’s been revised a bit - it’s in effect till noon tomorrow, then a break before the high wind watch takes effect in the evening.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Hang onto your hats

The overnight “forecast discussion” calls this a “vigorous” cold front - but the wind, with gusts up to 30 mph, is supposed to ease a bit later. One other change in the forecast overnight - that talk of possible wet snow at 500 feet (which could have included the highest hills here) has evaporated, and now it’s back to 1,000 feet, which lets West Seattle (and the rest of the city) off the hook.

West Seattle scene: ‘Bow over Blake

Thanks to Dan E for that view of what he describes as a “brief but spectacular” rainbow this morning, visible looking toward Blake Island.

Snowplows and tanker trucks in West Seattle - without snow?

(SDOT salt-solution-capable tanker truck, photographed in October)
Starting in less than an hour, SDOT will have tanker trucks like that one out around the city - then snowplows tomorrow morning — practicing the new snow plan, even though there’s not a flake in sight (though the weekend sleet/hail certainly caused a few flutters). Read on for the announcement: Click to read the rest of Snowplows and tanker trucks in West Seattle - without snow?…

West Seattle Weather Watch: Not settling down any time soon

Amid all the other major news … we’ve had so many rounds of hail/sleet it’s been hard to keep track. WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli got that photo a few hours ago - and before we could publish it, the Tukwila and vote-count stories pushed it to the back burner (freezer?). Now we’ve just had another round - splattering against the front door - and we have a weather report from co-publisher Patrick at the Chief Sealth-Mercer Island varsity football game at Memorial Stadium downtown: The game’s in its second weather delay - flashes of lightning put it on hold early on, then play resumed, and now more lightning and thunder has cleared the field. It was a 5 pm scheduled start, but because of delays, they’ve only made it through one quarter (MI 14, CSHS 0) as of 6:25 pm. We checked the newest forecast - showers, wind, and occasional hail/sleet are forecast at least through tomorrow. P.S. To check in on the game - and the weather! - follow @wsblive on Twitter. ADDED 6:57 PM: The game did resume. Also, it’s not West Seattle and has no WS link but can’t resist sharing a photo tweeted from Enumclaw - where what looked like one whale of a funnel cloud was spotted:

@TysonGamblin saw that near Mount Peak.

West Seattle traffic alerts: Watch for mega-puddles

So far we’ve gotten texts about a couple of “huge puddles” that are causing some commute trouble, including one at West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way, and also where Delridge meets The Bridge - given the overnight downpour, certainly there are others, so give yourself extra time when you head out.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Don’t let it slide

Tonight’s ferocious weather offers another chance for everyone to button up all that readiness in case of winter stormtastrophes — and gives us an excuse to remind you of the city’s Landslide Information Meeting this Saturday morning in West Seattle - 10 am at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) — full details here. If slides are even remotely a risk in your neighborhood - be there. ADDED 5:36 AM: One more way to get ready - today and tomorrow, 8 am-4 pm, free filled sandbags are available at Delridge Community Center, up to 25 for homeowners/business owners in floodprone areas - just drop by.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Windy till midnight (or so)

Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis just sent that photo of a tree blown down by her shop in The Junction - she says it “just missed the parked car.” It’s going to be windy until at least midnight, according to the newest forecast - but still breezy after that, for the next few days. 11:40 PM: Serious sleet, and thunder in the distance, just now. The sleet itself came down for a moment or two here with a roar. Click to listen.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Trick-or-treating forecast

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
With trick-or-treating in the Admiral business district tomorrow afternoon, and with Junction and Westwood Village merchants on Saturday (all on the Halloween page), not to mention neighborhood t-or-t Saturday night, we checked the forecast: You might need a little waterproofing. Breezy tomorrow, rainy tomorrow night, showery Saturday.

West Seattle Weather Watch: The sky’s high-rise

Babs shares that photo, taken from her Avalon Way deck, with the caption, “24 hours of crazy weather ends like this.” Crazy indeed. Tonight’s forecast suggests we have about 24 hours till the rain returns.

West Seattle Weather Watch: No, hail was NOT in the forecast

(Photo by Gatewood’s own New York Vinnie, added 11:14 pm)
There was a mention of a thunderstorm - but no hail. Crazy out there! Send pix if it gets to ground-covering status where you are …

West Seattle Weather Watch: Rain lessening, drain danger lingers

Couldn’t quite tell if there’s a blocked drain under that big gutter pond we found along 35th SW near Cloverdale (map) this morning, but that sort of “ponding” tends to hint at one, which is why - even as today’s morning downpour makes way for what’s supposed to be a less-soggy afternoon - the city is issuing reminders about citizens’ role in lessening drain-related danger. First, Seattle Public Utilities has issued another reminder about the Adopt-a-Drain program - and three more chances to get free cleanup supplies - details here. Second, property owners and construction crews are reminded to check out “drain socks” - those temporary inserts placed in drains to catch sediment - forgotten “socks” have caused big problems in the past. Here’s the full city alert on those. Lots more government info on winter weather is available at takewinterbystorm.org.

West Seattle scene: The sunbreak after the storm

Great photo from David Clarke, taken from Beach Drive this afternoon. So far, the forecast suggests tomorrow will be rain-free - lots to do if you don’t already have your plans locked in - check the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

New city snow plan OK by you? Low West Seattle turnout tonight

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There were three times more city and county transportation officials than neighbors at Delridge Community Center tonight for the meeting about the new snow plan, but the many questions made up for the empty chairs.

Click to read the rest of New city snow plan OK by you? Low West Seattle turnout tonight…

Tonight: Snow plan; Delridge NDC; Morgan, Fairmount groups

(WSB photo from December 2008)
THINK SNOW - LONG BEFORE THE TEMPS DROP: Two weeks ago, the city rolled out its all-new snow plan (here’s our report; here’s the plan). Tonight, your chance to hear from, and ask, the experts, in person, 7-9 pm, Delridge Community Center. If you’re still not sure what’ll be different if we have a Snowpocalypse rerun, this is the place to launch your flurry of questions.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Huge agenda for MoCA’s quarterly meeting, 7 tonight at The Kenney, including transportation, park, preparedness and utility issues.

FAIRMOUNT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: This group doesn’t meet often but when it does, there’s lots to talk about, as previewed here. Development (with Harbor Properties‘ update on Link) and crime are two major components of tonight’s agenda, 6:30 pm, The Mount.

(added 8:52 am) DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Thanks to Pete Spalding for one additional reminder - the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council also meets tonight, 7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center. Two city department heads will be there: Finance director Dwight Dively with a presentation on the mayor’s budget proposal; Neighborhoods director Stella Chao with a briefing on proposed changes to the Neighborhood Matching Fund.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Help keep the street drains clear

(2008 photo from Nancy in North Delridge, showing a drain in need of clearing)
With our sunbreak/downpour/breeze/repeat cycle of weather today, it’s the perfect public-service announcement of sorts: The city just sent out a reminder about keeping storm drains clear, and a project in which you can participate to make sure you have what you need to do it:

Fall has arrived and the rainy season is upon us … and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) needs your help preventing flooding by keeping neighborhood street drains clear of debris.

Fall Clean is a part of SPU’s popular Adopt-A-Drain program, in which volunteers help keep storm drains free of debris. During the coming months, a combination of changing weather and falling leaves creates a perfect opportunity for flooding. Unfortunately, the utilities’ full-time drainage crews cannot keep up with all of the thousands of storm drains that need extra maintenance this time of year.

We’ll lend you free cleanup supplies - rakes, bags, gloves, shovels, brooms and dustpans. Pick them up at the following times and locations:

* October 24 and 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Seattle Public Utilities’ warehouse at 3633 East Marginal Way South.

* October 28 and 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Seattle Municipal Tower between Columbia Street and Cherry Street on 6th Avenue in downtown Seattle.

Please call or e-mail us in advance at (206) 233-7187 or adoptadrain@seattle.gov to reserve your supplies.

For more on the Adopt-a-Drain program, check out this city webpage.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Forecast says breezy, then easing

If the forecast is right, what we’re seeing outside right now - the wind kicking up some gusts, mixed with steady rain, nothing dramatic as you can see in our clip but still a taste of serious fall bluster - is about as bad as it’s going to get. Just in case you were wondering. (At least we’re not getting THIS.)

West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind on the way

Though you might have seen some TV warnings of overnight wind, the National Weather Service says that for the city, the worst of it isn’t expected till Wednesday. Maybe up to 25 mph tonight and tomorrow, but gusts up to 40 mph are in the Wednesday outlook.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Possible record cold tonight

If there’s anything you need to protect … might even get below freezing, says the forecast.

New Seattle snow plan: “Bare pavement”; salt before & during

In that bag held by SDOT manager Charles Bookman - little rocks of salt, scattered a few inches apart. That was a prop he used while briefing us (during a series of media interviews) about the new snow plan that SDOT is unveiling - completely overhauled, the department says, from last year. Instead of the “sand and plow” strategy of the past, Bookman explains, it’s all about getting to “bare pavement” - and they’ve mapped out which streets are to be completely bare within 8 hours of a lull in the storm, plus which ones will have one “bare” lane each way. The “Snow and Ice Readiness and Response Plan” we were given is not online yet, nor are the maps (4:07 update - the map is now online), so bear with us as we give you the quick highlights of the hourlong personal briefing we just got (including a snowplow ride!) downtown - as well as information on public meetings where you can get the briefing firsthand (and ask questions) - read on: Click to read the rest of New Seattle snow plan: “Bare pavement”; salt before & during…

West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind “trims” Alki tree; missing kite

Thanks to Gary J and Desiree, who both sent news/photos of that big tree limb down at Alki, on this windy afternoon (that’s Gary’s pic, above). Forecast says we could see wind up to 25 mph at times tonight. ADDED 5:58 PM: One other weather note - Jenny says her family lost a kite, and her 7-year-old thought WSB’ers might be able to help find it:

What a great day to fly a kite, and lose one! My husband and sons were flying kites up on Genesee Hill near 55th and Bradford, and one got loose. It’s rainbow with a fluorescent orange tail. It was last seen headed south around Dakota and 55th. [map] … If they find it, please ask them to call Jenny at 935-7389.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Downpour, dissected

That video is from a moment of sticking the Flip out the window while at the Fauntleroy/Alaska stoplight as this evening’s downpour began. Meteorologist-to-the-stars Cliff Mass talks about its cause in his latest online update. Tomorrow, by the way, looks quieter. Meantime, Bruce in Westwood sent this photo from the sunbreak just before things got wild - while we caught some rays here in southern West Seattle, dark clouds gathered ominously in the north:

Fall arrives in West Seattle: Equinox sunset scenes

Thanks to David Hutchinson for that photo emphasizing the amazing fiery colors of tonight’s sunset, just moments before fall officially arrived at 7:06 pm our time. Here’s a photo from Marty, taken from his Alki-area deck:

(Added at 9 pm - a sunset Twitpic from @niktrain.) And Kevin McClintic was among the 30-plus people who turned up at Solstice Park (east of Lincoln Park) for an astronomy-appreciation gathering in honor of the occasion - at left in the purple, it’s Alice Enevoldsen, who issued the invitation and brought her telescopes:

When we left the park a while ago, Alice had taken a group of stargazers over to have a look at Jupiter, after everyone admired the crescent moon.

Also today: Weather likely to lift for Liberty, LINKS, and more

Many of today’s events are all or partly indoors, but even if you were looking forward to what’s supposed to be happening outdoors - the forecast says the rain WILL lift. Not predicting sunbreaks, but “rain” is supposed to make way for “cloudy with chance of showers.” We have NOT received word of any rainouts; we’ll add word of anything we do hear, but in the meantime, the show must go on. Two of this afternoon’s highlights: The Alki Statue of Liberty Time Capsule ceremony (with West Seattle High School alum astronaut Greg Johnson starting a round of local appearances) at 2 pm, which is also the start time for the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association’s LINKS barbecue at Delridge Community Center (2-6). A highlight tonight: Easy Street Records in The Junction celebrates Pearl Jam’s new “Backspacer” with a 9 pm party preceding the midnight sale — bring a donation for West Seattle Food Bank - giveaways, raffles, music (they’ll be playing cuts from “Backspacer” starting at 11), and if Easy Street’s full when you get there, the party’s officially spilling over into West 5. More here. For today’s full list of events, click here.

West Seattle scenes: Moonrise, sunset

Just a couple pretty pictures as we look ahead to what could be another record-high-temperature day … yesterday set a record at Sea-Tac by hitting 87, but today’s record is 88, and the forecast doesn’t look THAT hot. Anyway, the top photo is from Max, looking toward downtown during Friday night’s moonrise; below, an Alki sunset scene that Greg Wright photographed earlier in the week, focusing on the water instead of the sky:

West Seattle Weather Watch: NEXT weekend looks promising …

(Alki Beach fire this chilly holiday weekend, photographed by Greg Wright)
The rainiest/windiest/coldest of this storm episode is past, according to the National Weather Service, which dangles the possibility of sunny, 70s-ish weather NEXT weekend in its newest forecast. There was a bit of trouble in the weekend turbulence, though - we heard from Mark in the 6700 block of Beach Drive (map); his 23-foot boat broke free from its buoy - and neighbors reported it as it blew past their homes - it finally stopped about a mile north, where they planned to retrieve it at high tide.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Rain or shine

WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham (from mattdurhamphotography.com) spotted Sofia Mabee and 4-year-old daughter Savannah refusing to let the rain keep them inside - which is what PDieter advises in a discussion under way now in the WSB Forums, regarding the joys of living here despite the sometimes-turbulent weather. Speaking of which - The National Weather Service’s “special weather statement” (see it here) remains in effect, with “significant precipitation” and unseasonably chilly weather expected to continue tonight.