WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: High Wind Watch alert for Wednesday (update: upgraded to High Wind Warning)

12:36 PM: It’s been a windy December and it’s not done yet. The National Weather Service has a High Wind Watch alert for our area for tomorrow (Wednesday, December 24), 10 am-7 pm. Here’s what forecasters think will happen:

* WHAT…East to northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph will suddenly shift to southerly Wednesday afternoon with wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible.

A High Wind Watch is one step up in intensity from a Wind Advisory, which is the most-common type of alert we’ve seen so far these past few months.

9:31 PM: As commenter B points out, the NWS has upgraded this to a High Wind Warning, though the time frame – 10 am to 7 pm Wednesday – and the details – “South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph expected” – are similar. Main change is “possible” to “expected.”

Seattlite December 23, 2025 (2:16 pm)

Are Seattle’s City Light crews ready to respond to the upcoming power outages should this wind storm really occur?

Anne December 23, 2025 (2:50 pm)

Why would you ask that? What makes you think they wouldn’t be ready to respond? Kind of an insulting question.
- Seattlite December 23, 2025 (6:54 pm)
  
  I think it is obvious why I asked the question. After all, it is Christmas Eve which means all hands on deck…no one at City Light will have the time for a Christmas Eve should the wind storm cause outages for thousands of citizens. City Light has a problem with some transformer vaults failing due to a grid that does not meet the ever increasing population’s demand for electricity. Hopefully, City Light will keep working on strengthening the grid to meet Seattle’s growing population. Being a Seattleite for 77 years, I know from past experience with wind storms that Seattle did not have as many outages as it has today.
Actualperson December 23, 2025 (3:58 pm)

Seattleite. Are YOU prepared to handle a power outage? Your post makes me think you’re not.
- Seattlite December 23, 2025 (6:55 pm)
  
  I have an abundance of common sense. I really don’t know why you would be so angry with me for asking a question.
WS Res December 23, 2025 (4:13 pm)

No, SCL decided to give everyone the holiday week off. (What kind of insulting question is that? Good grief.)
Bill#1 December 23, 2025 (9:52 pm)

Are you???

Marcus December 23, 2025 (2:45 pm)

I worked at an electric utility for near 40 years.They are keenly aware of forecasted wind alerts. Seattle City Light does a good job with their resources. The linemen are dedicated as their job is to keep the lights on. That is their focus. Yet they can get overwhelmed. The only issue is that when the system goes down it does take awhile to get it back up. This is where people need to be self sufficient and just deal with it. If you want uninterruptible power then invest in batteries. Otherwise get a camping stove and cook your unfreezing foods, open a bottle of wine or smoke a doobie and wrap up in a sleeping bag. There are far worse issues in life than a few cold nights and some frozen food losses.

lucy December 23, 2025 (3:24 pm)

So true, Marcus. Our First World problems indeed. Thank you.
Susan December 23, 2025 (3:30 pm)

I applaud your answer! Thank you for explaining the obvious. Happy Holidays! :)
WSB December 23, 2025 (3:31 pm)

But do NOT use the camping stove indoors. That’s how we’ve ended up with people dying from carbon monoxide, most notably in the 2006 windstorm outage.
- Marcus December 23, 2025 (4:22 pm)
  
  Most true!! Sorry, crack a window and vent appropriately. Do NOT use and camping stove or charcoal grill as heat during a power outage.
  - Derp December 23, 2025 (10:13 pm)
    
    Do not use inside at all.
- Mr. Doobie December 23, 2025 (7:33 pm)
  
  Definitely use the stove outside. It’s also a good place to smoke the doobie. :)- Happy Holidays

b December 23, 2025 (9:22 pm)

Wind Watch has just been upgraded to High Wind Warning

WSB December 23, 2025 (9:30 pm)

Thanks, I’ve been out on various things and just catching up.

22blades December 24, 2025 (3:06 am)

Inoperative Stop Lights turn intersections to all way stops. Don’t “go for it!” Good news is, your WAYMO ride will die at an intersection like they did in San Francisco. The bad news is, they clog the streets right at the intersections. (I don’t know what aid cars or fire trucks will do.

Kai December 24, 2025 (5:46 am)

Children, children! Surely you have something more constructive to do than arguing in this forum! Christmas cookies to bake? Presents to wrap, or even buy, make? A family member to hug? Take your pet for a walk? Volunteer someplace to help? SCL will continue to strive to do their best to keep the lights on.

Sorry, comment time is over.