Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo! We’ve been mentioning all week in the WSB morning weather/traffic roundups that tonight would be the night with the year’s first 5 pm sunset. Looking ahead – the first 6 pm sunset will be on March 5, four days before we “spring forward” an hour, pushing the sunset past 7 pm.

(Photo by Victoria Gnatoka)

Thanks for the photos! In case you didn’t have a southwestward view to see this firsthand … Sunday ended beautifully.

(Photo by Karen Christenson)

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

(If part of the sky stays clear into the night, you can planet-gaze, too.)

Not only did the sun make a grand appearance today, it exited in style, about half an hour ago. Thanks for the photos! Above is from Beth Jackson; below, from Carol Ann Joyce:

And this one’s from John-Michael Bennett III:

The peak splash of pink was just before 5 pm, though the official sunset time was 4:36 pm. (It’ll be 5 pm on January 25!)

(Tan color means “wind advisory”; see the legend for the rest here)

The National Weather Service has expanded its Wind Advisory alert to include our area, but the expected burst of strong wind is not likely to interfere with Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations tonight unless yours is planned to happen VERY late. The advisory will be in effect 11 pm to 10 am, and the NWS says, “A brief period of gusty southwest winds (is) expected Thursday morning. There will likely be a range of peak wind gusts between 30 to 50 MPH. Localized gusts up to 55 MPH are possible.” Otherwise, the sustained winds are expected to be out of the southwest, 15 to 25 mph. If you experience or see wind-related trouble – outages, downed trees, etc. – once you’ve reported to authorities (206-684-3000 for City Light, 206-386-1218 for SDOT if streets/sidewalks/paths are blocked), please text us at 206-293-6302 if you can do so safely; thank you!

Thanks for the photos! Before we head over to the winter-solstice sunset watch (yes, it’s on), the first rainbows of the season (which officially changed at 1:20 am today). The photo above is from Jerry Simmons; this next one, from a texter:

And from KT in White Center:

8:34 PM: Check to be sure you have everything charged up – as of the top of the hour, we’re under a Wind Advisory alert, until 4 am: “South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.” Wind out of the south has been the culprit in many local power outages, so you’ll want to be ready.

1:40 AM: A little over two hours left in the advisory period, and – for once – no major wind so far.

5:30 AM: The advisory has been extended until 7 am, Meantime, there’s a 300+-customer power outage centered on Puget Ridge.

The wind alert has expired and the weather looks to be calmer for at least a few hours. Thanks to everyone who sent photos – above, from David Hutchinson; below, from James Bratsanos:

And the Elliott Bay rainbow’s full arc, from Stewart L.:

(added) Eugene Lee sent this photo of wave action at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook:

The major forecast factors for the days ahead, so far, seem to be rain, rain, and more rain – intermittently.

If you have a view to the southwest, go see the waxing crescent moon! Christine K caught it – along with West Seattle and beyond – while landing about half an hour ago. Cold night ahead – forecast says we could drop into the upper 20s.

Thanks for the photos! Saturday’s sunshine concluded with another sunset spectacle. The photo above is from Lael; the one below is from Gene Pavola:

From Brooke Gosztola:

And a panorama from John-Michael Bennett III:

From sunset colors to breaking news, we always appreciate your photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com or texted to 206-293-6302 – thank you!

ADDED: Trileigh Tucker photographed what looked like a knighting at Lowman Beach:

Just one week now until the earliest sunset of the winter – 4:17 pm on December 7th. It stays there for a week, then starts moving ahead with a 4:18 pm sunset on December 14th.

(WSB photo, this afternoon)

On the second day after the windstorm, some effects linger – like that huge tree across Walnut Avenue south of Hanford, with vehicles stuck beneath its branches and utility-pole damage nearby; we photographed it a few hours ago. But there’s good news for some who have been without power since Tuesday night’s storm – via comments, residents of west Charlestown/Genesee Hill say they finally have electricity again. Commenter GHMike reported:

Power was restored around 3:30 PM for the area on Genesee Hill involving 155 residents on 52nd SW and 53rd SW. between Andover and Schmitz Park(and surrounding area). Looks like crew trucks are working on the area involving 55 residents in the adjacent area between Andover and Genesee on 52nd Ave., SW and 53rd Ave., SW (which was the first reported outage on Tuesday evening on Genesee Hill).

City Light‘s map shows a little over 6,000 customers still without power, down from a six-digit total at the peak of Tuesday night’s storm. The utility says it still has “dozens of crews” in the field working on restoration.

Meantime, you might have heard some talk of another storm on the way tomorrow. There’s no alert for our area right now, but the forecast calls for “breezy” conditions, south/southeast winds possibly gustings into the 30s – considerably less powerful than what blew through Tuesday.

(Charlestown Hill, photographed by Christopher Boffoli)

This time last night, the wind was howling, but tonight, it’s quiet. Throughout the Seattle City Light service area, 20,000+ customers remain without power. No major outages remain in West Seattle, but some residents on west Charlestown Hill/Genesee Hill/upper South Alki were still out (some of them unmapped) at last report. One told us via text, “We are still out and so is our street and I just talked to SCL and they now say the new time is tomorrow by midnight. They were not able to give us any info on why we were still out when most around were good now.” As we told them, the 2006 windstorm – to which the outages from this one are being compared – also left some in West Seattle out for a lot longer than people nearby – the grid connects (or doesn’t) in mysterious ways.

IMPORTANT: If you’re out of power, preparedness guru Cindi Barker reminds us, don’t fall victim to carbon-monoxide poisoning from heating/cooking sources:

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous and odorless gas that cannot be seen or smelled. It can kill a person in minutes. If you don’t have electricity, prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide.

-ONLY use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents
-NEVER use a generator indoors in garages or carports
-NEVER cook inside on a charcoal or gas grill

Illustrated flyers in 24 languages

Other notes include a Comcast/Xfinity outage that several have mentioned, and wind damage trashing the early holiday decorations at the famous “4040 house.” A couple readers have mentioned there’s even crowdfunding set up in hopes they can recover in time for this season after all.

As for the weather – no more major wind in the forecast, but looking at next week, there are multiple mentions of possible snow showers!

We mentioned a lot of tree trouble in last night’s windstorm coverage, and now in daylight we’re getting a look at that and other damage:

Thanks to Jonathan for the photo above. That’s the big tree that fell on Walnut Avenue last night: “We live on 41st and heard something around 10 last night. Couldn’t figure out what it was. This is on the other side of the block from us, so clearly what it was. I feel for our neighbors.” Here’s another angle, from Peter:

Meantime, a texter sent this from a south Lincoln Park blufftop trail:

The texter confirms it’s blocking the trail. If you find other fallen trees in city parks, report them via Find It Fix It or call 206-684-7250. … Sean sent this photo of a crew doing early-morning work where a tree tumbled on Hanford:

In northwest West Seattle, Christopher Boffoli spotted this fallen fence:

We’ll continue adding to this through the day; photos are welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com or via text at 206-293-6302.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Jed for these photos from Schmitz Preserve Park:

(WSB file photo of City Light crew during past power outage)

Some readers wondered how Seattle City Light is preparing for the possible windstorm, with the latest version of the National Weather Service wind advisory envisioning “southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.” SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang had a simple answer for us: “City Light staff and crews are prepared for the forecasted weather. We are monitoring conditions and will adjust staffing numbers as needed.” As for the forecasters, the NWS Seattle bureau updated at midmorning, “Forecast models remain in good agreement over an anomalously strong surface low intensifying offshore today, bringing significant weather to western Washington … Intense pressure gradients will cause strong east winds to develop Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.” In our area, those winds are expected to start in the evening, though the advisory takes effect at 2 pm.

P.S. SCL’s before/during/after-windstorm advice is here. If it does happen, staying safe is the most important thing to do; if you’re able, let us know about power outages, downed trees, etc., via text at 206-293-6302. Thank you!

7:49 AM: Thanks for the texted tips. Multi-car crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge before 99.

8:35 AM: Adding photos. Live camera shows the crash is still blocking the right EB lane.

8:50 AM: Another crash reported, this one at 16th/Henderson, blocking the intersection. Meantime, the bridge crash has cleared.

9:05 AM: Thanks for the texted 16th/Henderson photo (we’re at 206-293-6302 any time) – added.

9:24 AM: Another texter says the 16th/Henderson crash is affecting traffic.

Esrlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, November 19.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

A wind alert is in effect for this afternoon and tonight – check here for the latest version. Otherwise, a break in the rain before more rain, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:21 am, while sunset will be at 4:27 pm.

IF YOU SEE SNOWPLOWS

… it’s NOT because snow is expected (not yet!) – it’s because SDOT is testing.

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Regular service.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

Charge everything – and secure whatever you have outside that might blow around – another wind alert is in place for our area. This time, the National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory in effect from 2 pm Tuesday to 4 am Wednesday. That’s just part of a wave of stormy weather headed for the state – look at all the different alert-signifying colors – 13! – on the NWS map accompanying this story. For specifics, the alert suggests we can expect “east to southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.” The NWS also notes, “Significant impacts may occur at lower-than-usual wind speeds due to the atypical easterly wind direction.” (South/southwest is more common.)

9:04 AM: Via comment and phone call, we’re told a vehicle is blocking the ramp to 99 from the eastbound bridge, and that’s causing a backup on the bridge, so if you’re thinking about heading eastbound, you’ll want to wait a while.

8:25 AM: Mel reports the stoplight at 16th/Austin is flashing,

Earlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, November 12.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

A wind alert is in effect for this afternoon through early Wednesday, with south gusts up to 45 mph possible. Rain likely, heavier in the evening, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:11 am, while sunset will be at 4:35 pm.

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Back to regular service.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

Time to charge everything – the National Weather Service has a “wind advisory” alert in effect for our area from 4 pm Tuesday to 4 am Wednesday. Right now, the alert says “south winds 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph expected.” According to our archives, this is the first alert of this kind since early June.

Take it any way you want to – but a rainbow has appeared off West Seattle with hours left in Election Day. Doug Eglington sent the photo above; Curry Gibson sent the one below:

Some polls are already closing in the east, so the earliest results aren’t far away.