WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Notes as we head into a very cold night

Off we go into a frosty night. David Hutchinson‘s photo, above, shows freezing mist “sea smoke” above Elliott Bay, as seen from Alki. This is forecast to be a dry but extremely cold night – low in the teens, wind chill as low as single digits. Also from Alki, another idea for keeping hummingbirds fed, as previously discussed:

Lance writes, “Using a lava lamp base and placing the hummingbird feeder on top to keep from freezing. Works great, even on windy Alki right now.” Meantime, SDOT crews continue treating the roads.

We photographed that plow-equipped truck on Thursday. We also learned from a reader that just in case of trouble, SDOT had crews staying at West Seattle’s only motel, The Grove, last night. We asked about that, and here’s how spokesperson Mariam Ali explained: “To facilitate seamless and safe operations, we have secured hotel accommodations for our crews throughout Seattle. Given that a majority of our team resides outside the city limits, this step is crucial in enabling them to reach their job sites promptly and safely. Our crews often work extended hours and face demanding schedules, and it is paramount to us that they have access to a nearby resting place.” SDOT has more than 100 people assigned to about 50 vehicles, including plows, de-icing trucks, and salt spreaders. You can find links to SDOT’s winter-weather maps here.

15 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Notes as we head into a very cold night"

  • Friend O'Dinghus January 12, 2024 (5:00 pm)

    I wish my little green friends would line up nicely and share the feeder like Lance’s. Mine engage in ‘keep away’ all day long instead. Shame too, as there is more than plenty for everyone.  

    • Suzanne January 12, 2024 (7:10 pm)

      Friend: They’re very territorial. If you have more than one hummingbird feeder, put them out of sight from each other (for example, around a corner, on the other side of your house, blocked by a large tree, etc. ).

      • Friend O'Dinghus January 12, 2024 (8:37 pm)

        Thank you Suzanne for your wisdom. I did see two simultaneously on my largest (and heated) feeder this morning, just before dawn, so that was heartening. I have three ‘zones’ as you describe with a total of 4 feeders. I would love if every port on every feeder was occupied on these bitterly cold days. 

  • CarDriver January 12, 2024 (5:15 pm)

    61st and all of Admiral way looked like it had snowed this morning. Turns out it was just salt. With the cold dry air and wind wasn’t any snow or ice to deice. As soon as you can wash your cars, get the chassis too. 

  • Kt January 12, 2024 (5:54 pm)

    Lance is brilliant 👏 

    • Landlubber January 13, 2024 (2:32 pm)

      Yes, thank you Lance!  My son had an old lava lamp stuffed in a drawer, works better than a hand warmer in a coffee cup, lol. 

  • Westside January 12, 2024 (6:18 pm)

    Given that a majority of our team resides outside the city limits

    Tell me your city is unaffordable for normal people without telling me…

    • CarDriver January 12, 2024 (7:08 pm)

      And, since there are NO transit options for them to make their work schedules, they all have to drive themselves to work. Note:  same goes for Metro drivers and mechanics. Almost all drive by themselves as county does not provide a 24/7/365 bus service.

    • Luke January 12, 2024 (8:11 pm)

      Westside, I thought the same thing when I read that. 

    • FlatSprite January 12, 2024 (8:22 pm)

      Westside is brilliant, too, friends. Nice catch. : )

  • Laura January 12, 2024 (6:44 pm)

    Love the lava lamp idea! Impressed that Lance has so many hummingbirds on his feeder simultaneously. 

    • yeah January 12, 2024 (7:34 pm)

      Lava lamps have good vibes, yo.

  • SpencerGT January 12, 2024 (8:24 pm)

    I have to say, SDOT did a great job salting roads today.

  • Marcus January 13, 2024 (5:17 am)

    Thanks to David for that wonderful sea smoke pic.  Saw that yesterday from the hills and also took some pictures from Alki.  Never seen that before and have been here for a long, long time.

  • John Smith January 13, 2024 (9:48 am)

    This morning my clamping worklight 60 watt incandescent bulb was out and the hummingbird feeder was frozen. From now on I will put in a new light bulb whenever I place the worklight to keep the hummingbird feeder from freezing instead of just trusting the bulb that is already in the worklight. :(

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