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.

miws November 6, 2009 (9:02 pm)

Earlier today, over on a Forum thread, I referred to Christopher as the “Jim Foreman” of WSB. Maybe I should give that title to Patrick, instead.

When I chatted with him a couple of weeks ago, at the Jeanette Williams Memorial Bridge dedication, he was telling me about some of the nasty weather he’s had to deal with, covering the local HS games.

I suppose Patrick, and Christopher, could be Co-Jim Foremans! :P

Mike

cjboffoli November 7, 2009 (9:01 am)

LOL Mike!
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Patrick at least had the good sense to bring an umbrella to the early Friday morning fire that we photographed in a torrential downpour. I just pulled on the foul weather gear I wear when I go sailing, grabbed a waterproof camera and was out the door.
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I think risking his life to lightning strikes to cover local sports probably qualifies Patrick for the ultimate title. :-)

B November 7, 2009 (9:04 am)

yeah…as a former Indiana resident I can say with confidence that is a LARGE funnel cloud. That seems so odd though given the cooler temperatures. Never a dull moment here!

Kevin November 7, 2009 (10:44 am)

And just think that just a little over three months ago we were all complaining because it was too hot :)

dawsonct November 7, 2009 (1:43 pm)

Was it a funnel cloud, or just a funnel SHAPED cloud? I would like to know if it was spinning or if it was simply a wedge-shaped cloud; that would make a big difference. Any info from the photog?

dawsonct November 7, 2009 (2:05 pm)

Considering the amount of cold air pouring into our region the last few days it wouldn’t be all that anomalous as the very cold air aloft would certainly be quite a bit cooler than the air at ground level, especially towards the lower slopes of the mountains. A lot of convection going on. The weather pattern we just entered is much more likely to produce tornadic activity than the weather we get at other times of the year.

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