Sunday midday/afternoon coverage: ‘High Wind Warning’ for tonight; other weather/traffic updates

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story included updates and additions into mid-afternoon, including several crashes – scroll through)

We’re tracking weather and traffic again today – and, in a separate update later, will do so tonight too. First:

WIND WARNING FOR TONIGHT: The National Weather Service’s alert just intensified while we were typing this – now it’s a High Wind Warning, in effect 5 pm-4 am. See it here. The strongest winds are expected to be north of us, but overall, the NWS warns, “This has the potential to be one of the strongest September windstorms on record.” The alert says the wind will be “increasing from the south at 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.”

TRAFFIC SO FAR TODAY: The Admiral exit from the westbound bridge was closed a while because of this crash at the bottom of the hill that the exit leads to (technically, the 3400 block of 30th SW):

We drove past it and tweeted about it last hour; no injuries that we know of – no medic dispatch. Also, while we didn’t get an alert at the time, it should be noted there was ANOTHER northbound Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct crash this morning, in the 8 am hour. …

ADDED 11:50 AM: Problem at the east end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge, possible spinout/crash as Columbian Way leads to Spokane Street. Not sure about traffic effects.

ADDED 12:40 PM: Thanks to Devon for the tip – crash at Fauntleroy/Edmunds is blocking at least part of the road; no serious injuries reported.

Thanks to the person who texted that photo!

ADDED 1:58 PM: Two-car crash at 42nd/College in the Admiral District. Big response as it’s a “heavy rescue” call.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
2:20 PM UPDATE: Heavy-rescue response canceled. No serious injuries. At least one parked car involved. SW College is closed from 41st to 42nd, which is just north of the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library.

smokeycretin9 September 29, 2013 (12:28 pm)

Rut Roh!

Steph September 29, 2013 (2:07 pm)

Going to make for a breezy Sounders game tonight. Yikes.

John D Long September 29, 2013 (3:30 pm)

That SUV at the Admiral Exit crashed in nearly the same spot as another SUV about a month ago (note sheared off pole). It’s like the Bermuda Triangle (similar to the 48th/49th bus stop on Admiral–there is no shelter there because it got taken out).

Citizen Sane September 29, 2013 (4:34 pm)

Is it just me, is it a case of better reporting, or are we seeing a spike in car crashes? So many of these look like the result of poor driving. Take the Admiral way exit; I use that nearly daily. How can you prang your car there, unless you’re driving like a chowderhead?
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Slow down and pay attention, people!

WSB September 29, 2013 (5:11 pm)

Citizen – we don’t usually cover every crash. But the weather is bad, roads are slick, and there seem to be more. No idea about the cause. Have just come back from yet another one – somebody’s pickup truck went into the side of an apartment building on Roxbury. No serious injuries in any of these – TR

Metpatrick September 29, 2013 (4:58 pm)

An Update for those are interested.

The NWS is onboard with saying a very strong wind event for this time of year and I agree wholeheartedly.

A 968mb Low offshore will make landfall on SW Vancouver Isle later this aft/eve and with rapid cyclogenisis occurring this storm will be the strongest september windstorm in recent history. The left exit region and associated BBO ( bent back Occlusion ) will further enhance a VERY strong jet streak @ 925mb reaching down to just above the surface with initial SE winds shifting to S and SW later this evening and overnight sustained 30-40mph with gusts 60mph+ with the wind/s slowly abating by 3-4am but still moderately breezy to strong by Monday am. Very Likely portions of W. Sea suffer power outages tonight ESPECIALLY areas directly exposed to the SW winds developing later on.

IF you live in an area of W.Sea that is low lying or a valley type topography any strong gusts will be markedly faster due to compression ( winds speed up as they are forced through a gap ) so a 50mph gust over open land will be 65mph+ in the aforementioned topographical area/s, further exacerbating the wind gusts are the STILL fully leaved trees thus making a tree that would be less impacted by stronger gusts likely to come down in weaker gusts this time around b/c of this.

SECURE ANYTHING you don’t want to land in a diff. county and keep an ear to the trees in your neighborhood. STAY SAFE W. Sea

P.S. should you want to watch the storm, Constellation park will be the perfect spot tonight.

Trileigh September 29, 2013 (5:19 pm)

Metpatrick, thank you for your explanations. I always enjoy your weather posts.

WS Family September 29, 2013 (6:49 pm)

Another multi-car crash around 6pm on notoriously slippery Olson Place just down the hill at the east end of Roxbury. Looked like a woman was sitting on a truck tailgate getting medical attention, near one of the many Seattle police cars re-routing downhill traffic. People clearly need to slow down on that curve, but when will that street surface finally be addressed??

WSB September 29, 2013 (6:59 pm)

Thanks; we noted that one on our new evening update atop the home page – also on the uphill side just west of the curve, a pickup hit an apartment building a few hours earlier.

WTF September 29, 2013 (9:47 pm)

I know. How about everyone SLOW down, pay attention and actually stop at the lights, (see) that stop sign, and slow at a yield. It makes absolutely no sense to point the finger at anything but poor driving and lack of common sense.

Sorry, comment time is over.