West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
This information was somewhat buried in the city’s list of “cooling centers”, so we’re mentioning it separately after hearing it’s catching people by surprise: The Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is closed today and Friday because it’s not fully air-conditioned; Seattle Public Library staff have instead been moved so that fully air-conditioned libraries can be open today and tomorrow, including Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and High Point (3411 SW Raymond), as mentioned in our preview list for today. (We’re checking with SPL regarding Saturday plans.)
Thanks to Eric Bell for the cooling photo, looking toward Luna/Anchor Park. Keep that scene in mind as the next heat wave rolls our way. The National Weather Service has kicked the alert level up to an Excessive Heat Warning, starting at noon tomorrow, continuing until 7 pm Saturday. The highest temperatures are expected Thursday and Friday, with highs in the 90s, but higher-than-usual humidity is in the warning too, and that will increase the impact. The city released a list of air-conditioned libraries, community centers, and senior centers with air conditioning, but the West Seattle options are few – we’ll be checking tomorrow to see if any locations/hours will be added.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: The list has been updated – now the Delridge and High Point libraries, both air-conditioned, will be open 10 am-6 pm Wednesday-Thursday-Friday. (Follow the link above.)
Thanks to Gene Pavola for the photo of tonight’s colorful sunset! Just in case you were wondering, the National Weather Service says that late-in-the-week heat is still on the way – the Excessive Heat Watch alert is still in effect starting Wednesday afternoon, but Thursday and Friday are expected to be the hottest days, in the 90s.
(Saturday night photo by Bill Schrier)
The National Weather Service has our area under an Excessive Heat Watch alert for Wednesday afternoon through Saturday (August 11-14). So far the forecast highs aren’t near what we saw during that historic heat wave in late June, but we could get well into the 90s, and humidity will be elevated enough to make it feel hotter. Read the entire alert here; see the updated forecast here.
(Photo sent anonymously from south of Alki Point)
Thanks for the photos! Fog on the water this morning hinted at what might be on the way – rain.
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
The sky cleared up today, and sunshine’s in the forecast for tomorrow too, but what the National Weather Service calls “a weak front” arrives tomorrow night, with a chance of rain persisting through the weekend.
(Photo by Gene Pavola)
Not only has it been drier than usual – we’ve had many days with warmer-than-normal temperatures, too, like today, with 88 for a high, nine degrees above usual.
(WSB photo)
From the yellowish hazy sunlight this afternoon to the reddish-orange color of the soon-to-set sun right now, we’re seeing wildfire smoke – but our air quality remains good. The Washington Smoke Information website explains that the smoke is overhead – back on Friday, the site said, “While two waves of smoke are expected to reach our skies, they’ll be at 2 km or higher, and the situation at surface should be very different.” The smoke that is up there is reported to be from Northern California and Oregon, not our state – so far.
ADDED: First “red sun” photo in is from Jerry Simmons:
ADDED: Second one is by Dan Ciske:
(SDOT photo)
That’s part of the road damage we first told you about Monday, on 36th SW near SW Oregon. SDOT says repair work starts tomorrow morning, and it’s extensive, so it could stretch across almost two weeks. Here’s the advisory:
Seattle Department of Transportation SDOT crews are planning on doing urgent pavement repairs on 36th Ave SW between SW Oregon St and SW Avalon Way. This work will begin tomorrow morning (Friday, July 2) and will potentially last as long as July 16.
This street was closed on Monday, June 28 due to severe damage caused by extreme temperatures. Crews will need to demolish, remove and replace 8 concrete panels.
Extreme heat can damage roads and bridges. Concrete pavement is designed to expand in hot temperatures and contract in the cold. During extremely hot weather events the heat can sometimes be so great that the expanding pavement has nowhere else to go but up, creating “buckles” in the road.
SDOT crews are continuing to respond to weather-related damage around the city, prioritizing needs with public safety as a top and hazardous conditions first. SDOT engineers are currently evaluating several other locations experiencing heat related distress around the city. Once we perform field assessments of the pavement conditions, we will be targeted and strategic in our approach to make the repairs prioritized based on public safety needs.
Every season brings different kinds of challenges to respond to, and SDOT crews work year-round to maintain to our roads, sidewalks, and curb ramps. For example, in 2020 SDOT crews filled 15,000 potholes but high temperatures can often cause previously repaired potholes to form again so our crews will be ready to respond and repair them again. We expect to continue seeing more pavement damage throughout the summer and expect to continue ongoing repairs over the next several months.
SDOT would like to remind everyone to be aware of these conditions and to be careful. You may see roads closed, signs or cones to warn of a hazard. Please be careful and obey all traffic control signs and devices. If you see road damage, please call 206-684-ROAD to report the conditions.
That SDOT photo shows a heat-damaged section of West Marginal Way that’s about to get fixed. Here’s the alert:
Where: West Marginal Way, north of the Highland Park Way SW Intersection
When: Work will start as early as 2 a.m. and last as late as 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday, June 30.
Closure Details: One lane will be maintained in each direction during the work. Please expect delays and drive slow through the area.
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews are planning on doing urgent pavement repairs on West Marginal Way just north of Highland Park Way SW to repair pavement that has buckled in the extreme heat. Crews will begin work at about 2 am on the morning of June 30 (tonight) and expect to be done by noon on Wednesday, June 30. During repairs, West Marginal Way will be reduced to a single lane in each direction.
Crews have previously installed a temporary patch to repair the damaged pavement on Sunday which appears to be deteriorating under the heavy traffic requiring additional repairs. In order to create a longer-term solution, crews plan to remove the concrete panel entirely and build a deeper asphalt patch. This will eventually need to be completely repaved with concrete, but we are hopeful that this solution will last for at least a year.
Extreme heat can damage roads and bridges. Concrete pavement is designed to expand in hot temperatures and contract in the cold. During extremely hot weather events, like we have been experiencing over the last few days, the heat can sometimes be so great that the expanding pavement has nowhere else to go but up, creating “buckles” in the road.
SDOT crews are standing by to respond quickly to weather-related damage, prioritizing needs with public safety as a top and hazardous conditions first. SDOT engineers are currently evaluating several other locations experiencing heat related distress around the city. Once we perform field assessments of the pavement conditions, we will be targeted and strategic in our approach to make the repairs prioritized based on public safety needs.
Every season brings different kinds of challenges to respond to, and SDOT crews work year-round to maintain to our roads, sidewalks, and curb ramps. For example, in 2020 SDOT crews filled 15,000 potholes but high temperatures can often cause previously repaired potholes to form again so our crews will be ready to respond and repair them again. We expect to continue seeing more pavement damage throughout the summer and expect to continue ongoing repairs over the next several months.
SDOT would like to remind everyone to be aware of these conditions and to be careful. You may see roads closed, signs or cones to warn of a hazard. Please be careful and obey all traffic control signs and devices. If you see road damage, please call 206-684-ROAD to report the conditions.
We’ve asked SDOT about the two “buckled” spots we reported Monday afternoon (36th/Oregon and 40th/Holly); no word yet, and we haven’t checked on them yet today. As for the West Seattle Bridge, SDOT reiterated again today that it has NOT had any heat trouble.
4:22 PM: This is it – the next couple hours should bring the peak of the heat, so if you are thinking about going to a cooling center or other air-conditioned venue/establishment, now’s the time to go. We’ve continued updating our list through the day; latest addition is the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) at 36th/Snoqualmie in The Triangle, open as a cooling center until 7 pm. Meanwhile, note that in addition to the heat, it’s a little hazy out there (air quality is “moderate”):
That’s the view from Upper Fauntleroy, looking toward north Vashon and beyond to Kitsap. As for the numbers … Sea-Tac hit 106 at 2:45 pm, says the National Weather Service, breaking the all-time record of 104, set just yesterday. So much for the old joke that summer starts in Seattle on July 5th … still a week away.
P.S. As we publish this, just heard a dispatch for a possible heat-related road problem – “buckled road” reported at 36th/Morgan 36th/Oregon.
4:29 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted photos right after we published that!
5:36 PM: Sea-Tac has since hit 107. (Added: The official high – 108.) And we’ve received another reader report/photo of what could be a weather-related road problem:
That’s at 40th/Holly in Gatewooc.
8:49 PM: The 36th/Oregon sinkhole has now closed a section of street – that’s it at right below.
(Good day to seek refuge under a tree. Photo by Mark Jaroslaw)
Here’s what you need to know today, heading for what’s forecast to be another record-setting high temperature:
WHERE TO STAY COOL: Our ongoing list is here – including libraries (even those not usually open Mondays) and other places opening as cooling centers around West Seattle, plus restaurants/bars with air conditioning, and wading pool/spraypark info. We’re continuing to update the list as the info comes in.
RESTAURANTS/BARS CLOSING OR CHANGING HOURS: We started this list (which we’re also continuing to update) over the weekend and are continuing to update it too – for some establishments, it’s just too hot for safety. .
OTHER BUSINESSES CLOSING: Monday is a regular closure day for some retailers anyway, but some that are regularly open are closing – Northwest Art and Frame, Floors Plus Northwest. We’ll add any others we hear of.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS MEAL SITES CLOSED: The district announced this morning that its meal-distribution sites will not open today because of the weather.
SEATTLE PARKS MEAL SITES CLOSED TOO … for today.
REDUCED SOLID-WASTE PICKUP: As first noted over the weekend, crews are starting pickup today and tomorrow one hour earlier than usual. Monday pickup customers will not have food/yard waste pickup (you can put out double next week). Full details here.
GOT A SPARE FAN OR A/C UNIT? The Mount could use more.
We’ll continue updating through the day – if you have something to add, including closures/changes, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Our area’s largest senior/rehab center, Providence Mount St. Vincent, needs some immediate help to keep its vulnerable residents and workers cool. Here’s the announcement:
Help Residents and Caregivers at The Mount beat the heat.
While the team at The Mount is working diligently to keep 300 residents cool, safe and comfortable — living and working in an almost 100-year-old building without central air-conditioning during this heat wave has increased the need for help. Donations of large (14,000 BTU) free-standing air conditioning units, commercial-grade Move and Cool units and both small and large fans would be greatly appreciated.
We are extremely grateful for the initial community response with 7 small AC units and two fans donated over the weekend.
However, with nearly 100,000 square feet of resident living spaces to cool, more donations are urgently needed given the lack of inventory in stores. New units or used in excellent condition may be dropped off at The Mount’s east entrance at 4831 35th Ave SW. If transportation is an issue, please call 206-937-3701, extension 28035 and pick up may be arranged.
The Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation is also seeking cash donations to support the purchase of air conditioning units as any become available and in preparation for the remainder of the summer as temperatures more typically reach the upper 80’s and into the 90’s.
Cash donations can be made here.
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8:12 PM: Thanks for the tip. Small power outage in Alki – five customers lost power about an hour ago, per the Seattle City Light map – but notable because of the weather. Our tipster reports hearing what may have been a fuse blowing; the map does not yet note a cause.
9:27 PM: “Equipment failure” is listed as the cause.
12:25 AM: As noted in comments, there was also a 4-customer outage around 50th/Hudson. That has already ended but the Alki outage is in its sixth hour.
5:07 PM: The bird photographed by Jerry Simmons had the right idea – a quick dunk to cool off. You’re going to have to keep the stay-cool tactics going – though temperatures will drop a bit after tomorrow, not that much, so the National Weather Service has just extended the Excessive Heat Warning alert an extra day, until 11 pm Tuesday. 90s are expected for the high that day, not 100+ like yesterday/today/tomorrow, but it might feel that way: “Temperatures lingering in the upper 90s on Tuesday with potentially dangerously hot heat index values up to 111.” Here again are our key links (with updated information:
Places to cool off, including air-conditioned libraries and restaurants/bars, plus “cooling centers” and wading pools
Restaurants changing their hours or closing because of heat danger
The city’s status update says, “Water and electricity usage remain within normal operations for utilities.” But if you are a Monday solid-waste customer, the plan for Monday has changed again: Trash/recycling crews will be out an hour earlier, as previously announced, so have those carts out at 6 am, but food/yard waste will NOT be picked up Monday (no word yet on the makeup plan – we’ll update when that info is available).
6:10 PM: SPU has now announced its Tuesday pickups will start an hour early, too – details here, and below:
P.S. Today’s high was 104 at Sea-Tac – the new all-time highest temperature on record in Seattle – but that’s a record that forecasters say is certain to fall tomorrow.
(Originally published Sunday, continuing to add updates/changes through Monday)
If the heat – the Sea-Tac gauge has hit triple digits! – has you thinking about getting dinner from/at a restaurant, be aware that some local food/beverage businesses are closing early and/or changing their hours to keep their workers safe. After a tip from Paula (thank you!), we started looking around, and here’s what we’ve found so far:
Bakery Nouveau – closing 1 pm Sunday
Bebop Waffle Shop – (updated) closed Sunday and Monday
Birdhouse – closing at noon Sunday, closed Monday
Bizzarro Italian Café (White Center) – closed until Tuesday
Cactus – closed Monday
Chupacabra – closed Monday
Circa, closed tonight and all day/night Monday
Coastline Burgers – closed Sunday and Monday
Copper Coin – closed Sunday and Monday
Cupcake Royale – closing at 2 pm Monday
Easy Street Café – restaurant closed Monday, record store trying to stay open
Elliott Bay Brewing – closed at 5 pm Monday
Grillbird Teriyaki – open noon-5 Sunday, closed Monday
Gyro Heroes – closed until Tuesday
Highland Park Corner Store – closed Monday
Hotwire Coffee – closing at 1 pm Sunday and Monday
Itto’s Tapas – closed Monday
JaK’s Grill – closed Sunday and Monday
Jet City Beignet (WSB sponsor) – no Sunday popup
Kamei – closed Sunday and Monday
Locol – closed through Monday (per texter)
Lodge Sports Grille – closed Monday
Lula Coffee – closing noon Monday
Luna Park Café – closed Monday
Marination Ma Kai – closed Monday
Mashiko – only offering cold menu items (including sushi) Sunday night and Monday
Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor) – open 10 am-3 pm Sunday, closed Monday
Moonshot Coffee (White Center) – closed 5 pm Monday
Nos Nos Coffee House – closed until Tuesday
Ounces – closed Monday
Pagliacci – closed early Sunday night, closed Monday
Patrick’s Café and Bakery (White Center) – closed Monday
Prost – closed Sunday and Monday
Realfine Coffee – closing at 1 pm Monday
Skylark – open Sunday 3-8 pm but serving cold sandwiches and salads
The Spot – closed early Sunday, will be closed Monday
Supreme – closed Monday
Swinery – closing at 2 pm Sunday
Talarico’s – closed Monday
Than Brothers Pho – closed Monday
West of Chicago Pizza (WSB sponsor) – closed tonight and Sunday
The Westy – closing 4 pm Sunday, closed Monday
Zippy’s Giant Burgers – will be closed Monday
We are checking other places online and by phone as fast as we can and will keep adding – if you know of others with closures/changes because of the heat wave, please let us know via comments, email (westseattleblog@gmail.com), or text (206-293-6302) – thank you!
P.S. We’re adding known A/C-equipped restaurants/bars to our master cool-off list – see it here – suggestions for those are welcome too!
The photo is from Trileigh Tucker, who is among the West Seattleites wanting to ensure you remember our feathered (and furry) friends in the mega-hot weather ahead. She points out it’s not just about bird baths and water bowls:
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put plenty of water out for the birds and your own animals, in the shade, under shelter so they don’t have to risk emerging from their protection. It’s going to be hard on them as well as us.
In addition, try spraying any shrubs in your yard with a hose — the little birds love taking a bath in the leaves. In less than 2 minutes after I did this (twice) this morning, chickadees and bushtits were bathing, so sweet to watch.
WATER THE BIRDS!!
(Photo by Carolyn Oleary)
We are now officially under the National Weather Service‘s Excessive Heat Warning alert. Last night we asked for help building a list of places to stay cool. This will be the ongoing list – so here’s what we have to start with – please comment or email/text with additions!
PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC FACILITIES AND OTHER CENTERS
Delridge Branch Library (5423 Delridge Way SW)
(updated) Open from noon to 6 pm Sunday, 10 am-6 pm Monday
High Point Branch Library (3411 SW Raymond)
Open noon to 6 pm Sunday (ADDED: SPL says this branch will open this Monday, 10 am-6 pm, too)
Salvation Army in South Delridge – day center for people experiencing homelessness (9050 16th Ave. SW)
11 am-7 pm Saturday-Tuesday
(added) Morgan Junction community space next to and run by HeartBeet Café and Youngstown Coffee, 6030 California SW
Our new seating space next to HeartBeet Cafe and Youngstown has AC, iced water, and a bathroom. Open 8 am to 8 pm. We will keep the doors open to this space but our cafe and coffee shop may be closed. Trained chill dogs are welcome in our space as well.
Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon)
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mondays – Fridays
(added) West Seattle YMCA (36th/Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor)
Open as a cooling center only, 7 am-7 pm Monday
West Seattle Christian Church Gym (4400 42nd SW)
Open Sunday and Monday (June 27-28) for the hottest days, 12:30 pm-5 pm. WSCC’s Worth Wheeler says:
We will have socially distanced seating set up and a limited supply of bottled water available as well. We will ask that everyone wear masks for the sake of unvaccinated kids and youth, and those at higher risk. We will also be following the guidance for larger gatherings. Sanitizer and disposable masked will be available, 2 people in bathroom at a time, etc. Neighbors are welcome to bring activities, games, crafts, etc to keep themselves entertained. They can also bring their own lunch/picnic/snacks as well. Any other local restaurants/businesses that might want to donate kid-friendly drinks, snacks, treats, or crafts are welcome!
White Center Cooling Center (206 SW 112th)
Available for those who need overnight shelter from the heat – details on our partner site White Center Now
—-RESTAURANTS/BARS WITH AIR CONDITIONING—-
BIZZARRO ITALIAN CAFE (White Center)
CORNER POCKET (4302 SW Alaska) – 3 pm-midnight – underground AND air-conditioned
MOD PIZZA (both West Seattle locations)
strong>PEEL & PRESS
—-OTHER BUSINESSES WITH AIR CONDITIONING—-
ADMIRAL THEATER (2343 California SW), cool treats as well as cool seats – afternoon/evening showtimes daily
FOGUE GALLERY (4130 California SW), open noon-5 pm Friday/Saturday/Sunday
WEST SEATTLE COWORKING (6040 California SW), open this weekend with day passes available – email manager@westseattlecoworking.com
—-CITY-RUN POOLS/SPRAYPARKS—-
Colman Pool (at Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
Daily noon-7 pm
Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) – Open 7 days a week (started 6/26), 11 am-8 pm, as planned
Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) – Open 11 am-5:30 pm Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays
Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – Open noon-7 pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Seattle Public Utilities says two are open in West Seattle business districts:
4598 California SW
6501 California SW
Bookmark this page or use our Share This feature below to send yourself the link – we’ll continue adding/updating throughout this heat wave! And once again – additions welcome, email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
You’ve been hearing about it for days, and now that the heat wave is closer, the National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to an Excessive Heat Warning, in effect 2 pm Friday through 9 pm Monday. And the Sunday/Monday forecasts have added a few more degrees – here are the next four days, daypart by daypart:
FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the 80s. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
FRIDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the mid to upper 60s. North wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 10 mph or less after midnight.
SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the 90s. North wind to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows near 70. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs 98 to 104.
SUNDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower to mid 70s.
MONDAY…Sunny. Highs 100 to 106.
Seattle’s all-time record high was 103 degrees on July 29, 2009 – here’s what happened on that day (including a house fire and an overcome-by-the-heat boater).
Since many Seattle houses/apartments don’t have air conditioning, it’s always a hot question when the weather gets mega-hot: Where can you go to cool off? We’re asking for your help in building a definitive list of where to go, considering that not all venues have reopened (yet). The city has started it off with this roundup – including:
Delridge Branch Library (5423 Delridge Way SW)
Open from 10 am to 6 pm Mondays and Wednesdays
High Point Branch Library (3411 SW Raymond)
Open from 10 am to 6 pm Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays
Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon)
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mondays – Fridays
If you have a suggestion – please comment below or email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
P.S. Two more city notes from the roundup – Seattle Public Utilities will close the transfer stations (including South) at 2 pm Sunday and Monday. Also, solid-waste pickup on Monday will be an hour earlier – so have your carts out at 6 am.
Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo taken from the Bremerton ferry, looking back at Alki and downtown. A ferry ride will be one way to beat the heat that the National Weather Service warns us is on the way. The NWS has issued an Excessive Heat Watch alert for Friday afternoon through Monday afternoon. The alert says in part that we are likely to see “dangerously hot conditions with afternoon highs in the 90s and possibly near 100 Saturday and Sunday.” If your family includes little kids, two wading pools and a spraypark are opening just in time, starting Saturday. We will highlight other stay-cool options in the days ahead.
Since we’ve received lots of questions about this via various messaging channels, email, text, and Twitter – we’ll mention it here too: The TV helicopter over Alki was just there for a live picture of the beach as part of the “gosh, it’s hot” coverage at the start of the 4 pm newscast. How hot IS it, you ask? 88 degrees at Sea-Tac at 4 pm – one degree short of the record for this date. Tomorrow’s expected to be cooler but by Friday, we could see the 90s.
Once the rain stopped this evening, fog started seeping over nearby islands. Above, that’s Bainbridge Island in David Hutchinson‘s photo from Alki; below, our peek view of Vashon Island from the Gatewood/Fauntleroy line:
More rain might be on the way, but we’ve already set a June 13th record – .68 of an inch measured at Sea-Tac, breaking the old half-inch record set in 1946.
P.S. Summer is exactly one week away – the solstice moment is 8:31 pm next Sunday (June 20th).
Thanks to Ted for the photo. Breezy weather has brought down branches at the south end of Admiral Way just north of the West Seattle Bridge. Forecast says it’ll be even breezier – with gusts up to 30 mph – tonight.
(Saturday photo by James Bratsanos)
Checking on weather for tomorrow and beyond … the National Weather Service says 80s are still on the way, but not until after the holiday. Memorial Day’s forecast is sunny and 70s; then Tuesday and Wednesday could get into the mid-80s. (Today’s high was 73, four degrees above the usual high for this date.)
5:22 PM: Don’t let the sunbreaks fool you. We’ve had hail (or some form of icy precipitation) within this past half-hour, and now a loud clap of thunder. The forecast for this evening does include a “slight chance of thunderstorms.” An overall ongoing chance of showers continues until Friday.
9:13 PM: The weather’s calmed a bit – still raining off and on. Added a photo by Jerry Simmons, pre-dusk rainbow sighting.
10:30 PM: Two more photos – this one by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:
And this one by Beth Davis:
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