West Seattle, Washington
27 Tuesday
(Scroll down for updates. For school changes, go here)
3:52 PM: After a period of what we were considering “chunky rain,” there’s more snow in the mix that’s falling right now in Upper Fauntleroy, and we’re hearing from other areas too. The National Weather Service moved up the timeline for its Winter Storm Warning announced earlier today – it’s now officially in effect. More to come.
6:40 PM: No reports of accumulating snow anywhere so far, so if you’re, oh, say, at a Super Bowl party and wondering about getting home, no problems reported yet, at least in the city.
7:11 PM: Snowing but not yet sticking here; Alyssa says it’s starting to stick near Delridge/Thistle. You can see it in the streetlights on many traffic cameras, including this one at the 35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance:
7:25 PM: Now it’s starting to stick in a variety of places, including here. So we’ll be switching to an evening snow report soon.
7:35 PM: From outside HQ – steady snow, but the road’s still bare/wet:
Steady snow currently. Road still bare:wet pic.twitter.com/tJ17tuQUzf
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 6, 2017
8:24 PM: Rain in some places, per commenters.
8:44 PM: Photo from a comment by David in Sunrise Heights:
9:13 PM: So far, the snow’s been mostly reported at higher elevations and more in east WS than west. But the new NWS forecast discussion predicts a drop toward sea level tomorrow morning.
9:43 PM: Above, that’s the view outside WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy. Now sticking on the road. Reports continue to come primarily from The Junction southward, and more east than west, plus of course the higher hills (we’re at about 330′; the highest point in West Seattle – and the entire city – is 35th/Myrtle, 500’+).
9:55 PM: From Joshua, 25th SW on the east side of Westwood Village:
P.S. **No** school changes to report so far. If and when there are any, the info will be at the top of every weather report. And we’ll be launching the first morning report at 4 am.
10:35 PM: Metro has now put some of its system on snow routes – see the map on the right side of this page. Not West Seattle (which is in the “south” zone) yet.
11:23 PM: One commenter noticed the same thing we have – a few power flickers. No outages reported so far, though. Meantime, still looks like less than an inch of snow where we are – wet, though, and weighing down the shrubs.
11:41 PM: First school delay announcement:
Westside School will open at 10:00 a.m., classes to begin at 10:15 a.m. There will be no Early Care. Administration will watch road conditions and announce a closure as early as possible if warranted.
12:41 AM: Another school delay: Vashon School District will start 2 1/2 hours late. We’ve created a separate story to track school changes – it’s here, and it will be updated as we hear of any more. Meantime, please let us know of any road trouble, school changes, anything else your West Seattle neighbors might need to hear about – text 206-293-6302 and e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
RESOURCES TO REMEMBER:
SDOT winter-weather map (what’s been de-iced, plowed, etc.)
Metro winter-info links
A new nonprofit dedicated to marine-wildlife health, SR3 (Sealife Response + Rehab + Research), will tell its story in West Seattle next Wednesday (February 8th). A major goal for S3 is to build the greater Seattle area’s first marine-wildlife hospital. While SR3 may be new as an organization, we’re told its executive director Dr. Lesanna Lahner is well known to those who help marine wildlife here, especially Seal Sitters, which explains that Dr. Lahner is “one of the NOAA-contracted veterinarians who now consult with local stranding networks and perform on-the-beach health exams.” She assisted Seal Sitters last month with the rescue of a seal nicknamed “Hope“ (at center in SS photo at right).
This Wednesday (February 8th), 6 pm, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), she’ll speak not only about her organization but also about our area’s wildlife challenges, from the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales to the sea stars lost to wasting disease. All are welcome; no admission charge.
Somebody asked us how the Highway 99 tunneling machine is doing. While WSDOT hasn’t had many major updates lately, it’s continuing the routine of publishing distance updates on this page on Mondays and Thursdays, and according to the newest number – 7,499 feet dug, of the 9,270-foot route – it’s now more than 80 percent of the way to the end. The zone it’s in now goes below the Battery Street Tunnel, which will be decommissioned when the new tunnel opens, and beneath the foundation of the Seattle Center-to-downtown Monorail.
11:02 AM: Look for these friendly volunteers – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “We Love The Junction” Task Force – at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (California/Alaska) until 2 pm, to get your free Junction Valentine photo. Currently, the rain is light, the expected snow is still hours away. And the pic is quick – photography courtesy of someone whose work you’ve seen here on WSB, Leda Costa:
Your photo will be sent to you in a digital Valentine “frame” in time for the holiday of hearts. It’s also a friendly reminder, as noted in the announcement last week, that the Campbell Building – the photo backdrop – has its landmark-nomination hearing the day after Valentine’s Day, same Landmark Preservation Board meeting when there’ll be a vote on landmark status for the Hamm Building across the street.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: SWSHS says 70 couples, families, and individuals were photographed during their four hours in The Junction.
(For those who consider this Superb Owl Sunday … a barred owl photographed in Lincoln Park by Scott Rose)
Yes, there’s more than football (and snow anticipation) today!
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street! (California between Oregon and Alaska)
JUNCTION VALENTINE PHOTOS: Today’s the day the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “We Love the Junction” campaign invites you to get a free Valentine photo at the Farmers’ Market, as explained in our preview, and this SWSHS video invitation:
10 am-2 pm, look for SWSHS by the Campbell Building on the south end of the market block, whatever the weather! (California/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, whatever the weather. All welcome. (34th SW/SW Myrtle)
CAMP FIRE CANDY SALE: 10 am-3 pm, Camp Fire candy sellers are scheduled to be at QFC/Westwood Village. (2500 SW Barton)
SWIM AT SOUTHWEST POOL: Four sessions on the schedule today – adult/senior swim 11 am-12:30 pm, family swim 2-3 pm, public swim 4-5 pm, lap swim 5-6 pm. Fees are listed here. (2801 SW Thistle)
ANTI-BIAS STORYTIME: 3:30 pm at Southwest Library, presented by Mothers for Social Justice. Geared toward children birth-7 years old. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
Have an awesome Sunday!
6:39 AM: The talk of possible snow has turned into an official Winter Weather Advisory alert from the National Weather Service for 4 pm today through 4 pm Monday. Read the alert here – a key excerpt:
Rain is expected to start transitioning over to snow late this afternoon and early this evening … becoming mostly snow after 10 pm tonight and continuing into early Monday afternoon.
How much? Possibly 1 to 3 inches, the NWS is saying. The next forecast update is due in the 9 am vicinity – we’ll update throughout the day/night, as always.
10:07 AM: The midmorning forecast discussion upgrades the potential snow amount a bit, but hasn’t changed the alert level – yet. We’ll publish a separate story when it does. We’re also hearing of some flakes spotted already in various areas – though here in Upper Fauntleroy, still rain.
10:51 AM: And now it’s a Winter Storm Warning, with word of a half-foot possible. But it’s been pushed back a bit to take effect at 6 pm.
3:57 PM: The Winter Storm Warning was moved up and is now in effect, as some snow arrives. We’ve launched a pm story here.
Another high-school basketball update: The Seattle Lutheran High School boys have one more game to go in the regular season, after winning their 16th consecutive game Saturday night, on the road against Crosspoint, 76-63. (Thanks to Ana for the tip!) Monday night, they’re home against Auburn Adventist, 7:30 pm. The Seattle Lutheran girls also play AA at home tomorrow, 6 pm, after a 31-29 loss to Crosspoint on Saturday.
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