(Tonight’s twilight beneath The Bridge, by Christopher Boffoli)
As nice as today was, the temperature “only” reached 74 degrees – meaning an ongoing Seattle weather record continues – we’ve never before made it this far into June without the temperature having gotten to 75. Tomorrow will be nice but isn’t likely to stop the record streak of 75-less-ness – the forecast is suggesting a high near 70. Still should be a great day for more outdoor activities, including the first-ever West Seattle Junction Health Fair – we’ll be onsite covering it “live” – more than 20 Junction-area health/wellness/fitness providers and practitioners in the Wells Fargo parking lot (listed here), 10 am-2 pm, there for one-stop shopping in finding out what they have to offer. This is right across the street from the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, which will have a special healthy-cooking info to sweeten the pot. (And while you’re in The Junction, go admire the almost-done, newly planted Junction Plaza Park!) Also tomorrow, it’s the lowest tide of the month just after noon (here’s the chart).
(Photo by David Rosen fromSlickPix Photography)
Though the solstice isn’t till June 21, you have to agree today felt like summer. Finally. So even with the clouds that moved in by the end of ReFRESH Southwest (our coverage is here and here), this was the perfect sunset. (The forecast still suggests the return of rain tomorrow.)
That’s part of the mini-bazaar set up inside the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction, for the season’s first big Pencil Me In For Kids‘ fundraiser. Creative Memories, Party Lites and Tupperware purveyors all were on hand, donating part of their proceeds to the nonprofit that raises money to buy school supplies for kids in need. Find out more about PMIFK here. Meantime, one last Sunday afternoon view:
If you were outside – perhaps at Seattle Summer Streets on Alki, as we were (here’s our afternoon coverage) – you probably got caught in the 4 pm-ish drizzle. It was a classic sun-rain mix, and as shown in Max’s photo, it brought along a rainbow. (The forecast for next week looks fairly mixed, so far, too.)
(Video by David Rosen from SlickPix Photography)
That video’s from just after Wednesday night’s 11 pm-ish high tide – the classic Constellation Park waves-collide-with-seawall shots. And it illustrates the fact that the wind didn’t quite die down when forecasters had expected it to – they’ve now extended the wind advisory till 4 am.
A “special weather statement” is in effect (read it here) – bottom line, it’s going to get windy again, with gusts up to 45 mph predicted for tomorrow night, after a breezy day. Here’s the full forecast. Meteorologist Cliff Mass calls it “a serious storm” and breaks it down bigtime here – but also points out the worst of it will be on the seacoast.
Two of the talented photographers who share their work with WSB from time to time have scenes to share this morning: Top, David Hutchinson caught Mount Rainier at sunset, from Jack Block Park, through the Port of Seattle cranes; next, Long Nguyen caught one of this week’s storm formations from the air over the Kent Valley:
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of last night’s unusual sunset cloud formation over the Olympics. These four photos show how it evolved – above and immediately below are photos from Bruce; third photo from Brian P; fourth photo from Brian H.
Tried to look up the technical name for this kind of cloud – failed to find it. Anyone?
The latest forecast update from the National Weather Service verifies that things should keep calming down after a windy Monday. But there’s still some cleanup ahead – Sha’ari shares that photo of the tree blocking part of the Longfellow Creek path in North Delridge, between Findlay and Brandon (map). Meantime, we went back to the sidewalk outside Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) as city crews took down the tree that came loose earlier in the day:
The National Weather Service has lifted the wind advisory, though it’s still windy, with gusts possible to 40 mph tonight, along with showers and possible thunderstorms (here’s the newest forecast). There’s also a new round of tree trouble: In the past few hours, as our video shows, the weather has apparently destabilized a tree in the 6400 block of California SW, where the sidewalk work was done in front of Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). As our video also shows, a city inspector was there when we were a short time ago, and is assessing; Feedback co-owner Matt Johnson tells WSB the big crack at the tree’s base wasn’t there when he last looked at 2 pm. 5:19 PM UPDATE: We’re told the city will be back to remove the tree tonight. Meantime, it’s a temporary no-parking zone:
(WSB photo added 9:15 am, trees across 48th SW) ORIGINAL 7:35 AM REPORT: First report of notable weather-related trouble; Metro just sent an alert that the 37 and 53 bus lines are rerouted because of “an incident” at 48th SW/SW Eddy. Checked withSeattle Police – they have word of trees down on 48th SW at SW Holly, which is also affecting car traffic – not sure yet exactly where the detours are, but avoid that area. Here’s the reroute alert from Metro:
Routes 37 & 53 are rerouted due to an incident on 48th SW near SW Eddy St. Use the stop north of SW Graham St or the stop north of Atlas Pl SW.
This is between Seaview and Lowman Beach; here’s a map.9:25 AM UPDATE: From the scene – 48th SW is closed from SW Eddy at the top of the hill, to the bottom where it meets Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive. We also received this photo with another perspective on the blocked road, as a school bus (they had to reroute too) faced the mess:
We also got a note about the wind tearing away more of the plastic sheeting around the scaffolding on the 35th/Myrtle water tower that’s been getting painted. Here’s how it looked as of a few minutes ago:
10:05 AM UPDATE: Just checked with SDOT – Marybeth Turner tells us the urban-forestry crew estimates 48th will be cleared/reopened no later than 11:30 am. 1:21 PM: Kris notes in comments that the road has reopened; also, Metro has confirmed Routes 37 and 53 are now back to normal. 2:04 PM: Jody adds this via Facebook: “”A good section of the sidewalk on the east side of the street is closed though for anyone walking in that area.””
A couple days ago, the weather talk for the next couple days had to do with potentially strong wind. A different four-letter word has emerged in the latest forecast – maybe a bit of snow. The newly updated city forecast says higher hills may see a bit of wet snow tomorrow night and possibly showers Friday morning (and over 600 feet – which rules out even the city’s highest point at the Myrtle water towers – tomorrow morning). Just another Seattle spring – be ready for anything!
With highlights on the WSB Easter page including three outdoor sunrise services – including the annual nondenominational one at Forest Lawn and the three UCC churches’ gathering on Alki Beach – you might be checking out the forecast tonight. Right now, it looks promising – a chance of morning showers, making way for a partly sunny afternoon, says the National Weather Service.
That’s a bit of video from Constellation Park/Richey Viewpoint south of Alki Point, favorite haunt – in weather like this – of TV crews and intrepid stormwatchers. We saw both represented while we were out, briefly, at dusk. Note the past/future driftwood in the surf – extra-dangerous, so don’t get close. (We were there about an hour ago; high tide was at 9:15, so the surf will pull back a bit in the hours ahead, with the next high tide at 7:44 am.) Meantime, on the forecasting front, the National Weather Service‘s wind advisory is now extended till midnight, and tomorrow morning looks showery/breezy (egg hunts are still on, though – schedule here). ADDED 1:05 AM: John Polnik shared this video from central Alki, where he says a small outage hit Phoenecia – we had driven through after 8 pm and saw the streetlights appear to be “strobing”:
STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WILL PERSIST INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS BEFORE EASING. OCCASIONAL WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE ALSO EXPECTED… ESPECIALLY IN MORE EXPOSED AREAS.
The NWS hourly readings showed a gust of 51 mph at Alki Point at 3 pm. So far no reports of outages or other major problems in West Seattle – here’s the page to watch for power problems. Next high tide, for wave-watchers, isn’t till 9:15 pm. ADDED 4:16 PM: An advisory from Seattle Parks, related to the rain rather than the wind:
Seattle Parks and Recreation has closed all grass athletic fields on Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, due to the muddy condition of the fields caused by rain. All baseball and softball games and practices have been cancelled for today and tomorrow.
Synthetic fields remain open, and games on those fields will continue as normal. The closures will not affect spring egg hunts.
For more information about field closures, please call Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Citywide Athletics Rain-out Hotline at (206) 233-0055.
(The egg hunt list, by the way, is on the WSB Easter page.) ADDED 6:52 PM: Still no reports of major trouble. But the wind-whipped waves remain the big attraction – TV crews have been out at Constellation Park, and out on the water, the view was even wilder, as you can see in this photo Kevin McClintic took from the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry:
That’s part of the “Significant Storm Briefing” presented today by the National Weather Service – you can see it online. The most important message for our area – a High Wind Watch is in effect for Friday morning and afternoon, with gusts possible past 50 mph in the afternoon (read the High Wind Watch here; and here’s the city forecast). You may know all the preparation suggestions by heart, but just in case you don’t, read on for a news release from Seattle City Light:Read More
Just wanted to let you know that we are aware that our Tollycraft 26 broke loose from its mooring in the high winds this morning and ended up on the beach just south of Lincoln Park. We are working on a solution to get it back in the water.
We’re checking to see if they’ve had any luck yet. Meanwhile, the latest forecast says it’ll continue to be blustery into the evening, still with a chance of thunderstorms. 12:21 PM UPDATE: Deborah says they’re hoping to be able to get it back in the water with the next high tide at 5:30 pm.
7:52 PM UPDATE: With Coast GuardVessel Assist help, the boat is back out at sea again (warning, video as choppy as the sea):
As forecasters warned, heavy rain is now teaming with gusty wind. The forecast revision from early this morning now says gusts could pass 40 mph; they were at 33 mph when the 5 am reading was taken at Alki Point (K91S on this hourly table). There’s a chance of thunderstorms later this morning, too. We’ll be watching as usual for any reports of power, road or other problems; let us know if you have info to share.
It’s not an advisory, “watch” or warning yet, but it’s a Special Weather Statement – a storm system on the way is likely to make things pretty windy and wet around here tonight. Here’s what forecasters are expecting.10:55 AM: The “special weather statement” expired but here’s the latest forecast – wind possible past 30 mph at times tonight – not horrific, but we’ve lost power with less, so just a heads-up.
Typical Seattle spring weather – sun, rain, sun, rain … ice pellets? We were off the peninsula for a little while this afternoon but got word from JayDee about (at least some part of) West Seattle getting pelted. Then, the rainbow, as photographed by Leaf from the north end of California SW. The forecast says things will be unsettled through tomorrow – then a steadier dose of sunshine is due in.
Incredible sliver moon tonight, just before moonset – didn’t have the camera handy but luckily Christopher Boffoli caught this image a few hours ago, from 33rd SW and Hinds (map). Meantime, Mike Scharersent his Hamilton Viewpointshot of last night’s rainbow, too beautiful not to share even though it’s semi-old news by now:
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