WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: First alert of the week

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

You’ve seen the snow on the mountains, and if you were up early this morning, you might have seen some down here. Might we see more? The first official National Weather Service alert of the week has been issued this afternoon – a Special Weather Statement:

Cold air over British Columbia is likely to push south into Western Washington this week. … After the colder air arrives, a front might reach the area with a chance of snow Thursday and Friday.

You know how often local forecasts change, so don’t get too excited and/or worried yet. But do be ready. Snow or no snow, overnight lows are expected to dip into the 20s.

25 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: First alert of the week"

  • anonyme February 8, 2021 (4:27 pm)

    Please let it snow!  We old Michiganders need at least an annual fix.

    • MT February 8, 2021 (5:04 pm)

      👍 same with us Montanans! 🤞🤞

      • Megamom February 8, 2021 (5:42 pm)

        And us Pennsylvanians!

      • Eric1 February 8, 2021 (5:45 pm)

        LOL.  Be careful of what you guys ask for.  You guys might like snow but this city comes to a stop with more than 1 inch.  For some reason, the kind of snow we get, the number of elevated highways and the number of ex-subtropical drivers all conspire to make Seattle a @#$show if there is significant snow.  The best thing to do with snow on the ground is to call into work, get some warm cocoa and turn on King 5.  How I miss the days of “Danger Jim” on his hunts for the first snowflakes in Seattle.

    • Lina February 8, 2021 (7:44 pm)

      This New Englander wants some snow!

    • Dan February 8, 2021 (9:53 pm)

      Michiganders?  We lived in Michigan 2 years ago. Up north in good ol Rogers City

    • mok4315 February 8, 2021 (10:24 pm)

      And the Russians!

    • MirthMobile7 February 9, 2021 (12:03 am)

      And us Antarcticans!

    • Lisa February 9, 2021 (7:10 am)

      And we former Eastern Washingtonians

  • bluejay February 8, 2021 (6:01 pm)

    Too late, already excited!

    Is it too idealistic anymore to imagine people staying in and enjoying baking, hot cocoa, puzzles, and sledding? This is what I hope for.

  • HP-resident February 8, 2021 (6:30 pm)

    Keep in mind that a busy bridge detour, the steep hill from West Marginal to Holden via Highland Park Way, is likely to be closed with any accumulation or ice on the road surface. It’s in my neighborhood, so I’m not looking forward to the rerouted traffic, but I love snow!

  • Frog February 8, 2021 (6:33 pm)

    I would just like to say that it’s child abuse to predict snow, and then say no, never mind, and then say wait, snow is coming after all, and then say no, never mind.  We are breeding a very cynical generation here, who won’t trust authority.

    • WSB February 8, 2021 (7:43 pm)

      If you’re growing up in the NW, you have to know that’s how the forecast works (or doesn’t). We have a native West Seattleite in the house (home from college this pandemic year) and he knows that – though he is still hopeful the forecast might come true this time. – TR

    • Kyle February 8, 2021 (8:04 pm)

      Frog, poor choice of words.

      • Graciano February 9, 2021 (4:43 am)

        @Kyle, yes Frog’s words were  not the best choice but I’m speaking for myself only and believe Frog meant it in a teasing way. It is nice we have so many sensitive people living here though. 

  • Suzanne Krom February 8, 2021 (6:45 pm)

    Some of our plants are already starting to flower. The upcoming  hard freeze will be hard on our delicate ornamentals. To protect them, a simple cotton sheet can be draped over them. You’ll want to support the sheet with a circle of bamboo stakes to keep the direct weight of the sheet off the plants. Leave the base unsecured so the fabric just hangs loosely. The fabric doesn’t have to completely cover every lower branch. It’s a very light touch that’s surprisingly very effective protection. Incidentally, you’ll want to remove the cover as soon as temperatures go above freezing. The sheet shouldn’t be weighed down by rain and end up sitting directly on the plant.

    Also, some containers with delicate plants will need protection too, especially their roots. You can group your containers close to your house/garage and pile dry leaves around them for insulation. –Yet one more reason to keep a good collection of leaves, along with using them as mulch! 

    • waikikigirl February 9, 2021 (11:27 am)

      Thank you Suzanne for the idea to protect our Daphne Odora! I worry every winter but “she” seems to survive every year even stronger than the next!

    • anonyme February 9, 2021 (4:57 pm)

      A few more plant suggestions: I like to use bubble wrap, especially on potted plants.  I wrap it around the pot, forming a funnel up around the foliage and leaving the top open.  This method allows warmth and protection without blocking light or air circulation.  I’d also recommend tying up conifers with soft branches that tend to splay out with heavy rain or snow, often causing breakage.  Think of the way that Christmas trees are shipped, with twine spiraling upward around the plant.  Just be careful not to tie so tight you break the branches.  Also, be sure to remove these temporary fixes once the snow and/or freezing temps have passed.  I usually wait to do pruning and cleanup until at least late February, as these storm systems are pretty common around this time of year.

  • Reality Chick February 8, 2021 (7:27 pm)

    As one of the “ex-subtropical”  (whatever that means) drivers listed above who never drives here when it snows but who is married to someone who comes from a snowy place where they say “hold my beer” when it does snow, I have observed that while Seattle’s snowy SNAFUs are affected by hills & topography, very wet & heavy snow,  and scarcity of road clearing equipment (needed a few times a decade) the primary culprits are personal belief systems (read: ego) of  those who come from snowy places and think that they can drive here like they did where they came from. Slow down, maybe walk, buy definitely enjoy the scenery.  

    • momosmom February 8, 2021 (7:54 pm)

    • Herongrrrl February 8, 2021 (10:44 pm)

      Yep, our snow is not the same as snow in other parts of the US. It hovers right around freezing when it snows here so we get a freeze-thaw cycle going on, combined with many microclimates and steep hills, and that means lots of ice and treacherous conditions that can surprise even the most snow-savvy New Englander or Midwesterner. There’s a reason this city stops when it snows. I know we’re  all sick of staying at home, but try to appreciate snow here for the lovely, ephemeral holiday it usually is.Assuming we actually get any, of course! :)

  • cloudy with a chance of meatballs February 8, 2021 (8:02 pm)

    cliff mass has been posting about the end of week snow possibilities on his blog, showing the two prediction models and what we know for certain at this point:we’re in for COLD temps!https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/

  • Millie February 8, 2021 (8:18 pm)

    But how beautiful the  mountains look with snow (where it belongs) on a sunny day!

  • Dm February 8, 2021 (9:37 pm)

    If it does become snowy/icey, and Highland Parkway is closed, Holden might be quiet for the first time in the past 11 months!  

  • Kelkouska February 9, 2021 (10:40 am)

    Is the link supposed to take us to PDX weather report? I know we have almost the same weather, but thought I’d ask!

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