West Seattle Weather Watch: Saturday night thunder, after rainbows

(Photo tweeted by Patrick Gerding, looking this way from Vashon ferry)
6:28 PM: We’re not seeing it in the forecast, but that is most definitely thunder rolling through – and lightning. No short-term alerts, either. Rainbows earlier, though!

7:02 PM: Seems to have quieted down. “Low level instability,” explains MetPatrick, via Twitter. Meantime, thanks for more photos from the sky sights before sunset – dark clouds behind the gleaming skyline, in this photo from Melody in Admiral:

The second rainbow seemed to emerge from the base of the main rainbow, in an unusual “V” configuration, as you can see in this photo from Russ:

7:11 PM: The National Weather Service, whose forecasts hadn’t mentioned thunderstorms, just tweeted: “Line of heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms from Sea-Tac to east of Enumclaw will move SE and weaken in the next hour.”

7:37 PM: The photo above is from Lise in High Point. In comments, Emily offers an explanation.

7:54 PM: One more rainbow view:

Don Brubeck caught that angle from Alki. Looking ahead in the forecast – Monday looks very rainy – get those storm drains cleared of leaves before the weekend’s out!

miws October 11, 2014 (6:41 pm)

Yeah! Big Thunderboomers in Highland Park/S. Delridge! Have even seen a few lightning flashes, from my perspective of not having a direct view of the sky. Plus, just had a quick light flicker.

Mike

Andi October 11, 2014 (6:46 pm)

It’s rockin and rollin here in Arbor Heights, complete with flickering lights! Our poor young cats are experiencing their first big storm. They’re not too pleased.

emily October 11, 2014 (7:30 pm)

The V is part of a triple rainbow (I think!) it was a rainbow from the reflection off the Sound. Cliff Mass explains: http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2012/11/triple-rainbow.html

We saw it here too — so neat to see!

WSB October 11, 2014 (7:33 pm)

Thank you!

emily October 11, 2014 (7:47 pm)

Sure!

I got this shot which seems to show a faint second arc coming off the tip of the evergreen on the left.

http://instagram.com/p/uCGXsgCSX2/

rpo October 11, 2014 (7:58 pm)

Half an inch of rain in 15 minutes earlier this afternoon. Myself and some neighbors had water in our garages.

patt October 11, 2014 (8:03 pm)

Thanks, we were trying to see the darker space between the 2 rainbows and realized the angle was very unusual…cool

Eric1 October 11, 2014 (9:12 pm)

LOL on the weather service. No thunderstorms predicted until they appear. Then, oh yeah, there are some thunderstorms.
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Not really harassing them. Just seeing the humor. Not like I am perfect at work. Oh yeah, boss I was going to tell you that was about to happen…. I was just checking to see if it really would happen first.

JanS October 11, 2014 (9:43 pm)

“low level instability” – lol…I must be one with the weather….I have that, too :D

Carol O. October 12, 2014 (12:36 am)

My almost 21 year old cat ate her dinner, cleaned herself then curled up in a ball and fell asleep during the storm. She’s deaf now the poor sweetie.

anonyme October 12, 2014 (2:06 pm)

What a beautiful evening! The light before the storm was exquisite, the rain was welcome and delightful, and the thunderstorm was an unexpected bonus. I love autumn!

Sorry, comment time is over.