Thanks to Lori Vonderhorst for the photo – looking north from the Lincoln Park shore on Saturday afternoon – saying in her email, “Something to brighten this dark rainy morning.” The forecast is bright, too, predicting a partly sunny afternoon and more sunshine tomorrow. Looking ahead toward the change of years at the end of the week, New Year’s Eve is expected to be cloudy with a chance of rain. (No fireworks – again – this year, though, so no need to venture outside that night anyway.) Data point: So far, the calendar year has seen three inches more rain than the average year (last year was three inches below average).

Thanks for the sunrise photos! (Above, from Chris Frankovich; below, from Susan Romanenghi.) Though the days are getting longer now that the solstice is past, all the time is gained on the other end of the day, until January 6th, when the sun starts rising earlier.

The forecast is for sunshine later, and tomorrow too, with rain likely to return Friday night.

(CONTINUING COVERAGE from afternoon downpour to evening snowfall)

3:24 PM: The heavy rain predicted in today’s forecast has arrived, and some streets are swamped. Above, Frank sent the photo of bike-lane posts acting as breakwaters along Avalon Way; not far from there, Lehualani tweeted this video:

From Conner, the ground-level view of that same stretch of 35th SW:

3:40 PM: As mentioned in comments, Harbor Avenue is swamped too. Just received this video via Twitter:

Meantime, more Avalon:

And here’s 35th/Barton, from Kersti:

We are also getting texts that California/Raymond, northeast of Morgan Junction – a perennial drainage trouble spot – is also flooded. (video added, from Patrick Wirth)

One texter says it’s so bad that some drivers are turning around, while neighbors are out trying to clear the drain(s). Just heard a dispatcher tell an SFD crew that “SDOT is swamped” – as are streets.

4:03 PM: This is keeping SFD busy too – note all the “water job” calls on the real-time log. … Also of note, the temperature has dropped in a big way. At 3 pm, Boeing Field (KBFI here) was 55 degrees … at 4 pm, 40 degrees. (added) Another look at Harbor Avenue, from Alaina:

4:26 PM: Judy emailed about that same stretch of Harbor, “Completely impassable east side between Anchor Park (estimate) & 7-11. Low carriage vehicle submerged over wheel wells so car quit running. This occurs without any warning on a curve where center planting is so no way to turn around. Cars keep stacking up and they are trapped – water still rising. I just barely got to place to turn around with my Forester.” … Also hearing about deep water on Fauntleroy Way west of California, and Murray SW (near Lowman Beach). … Also West Marginal Way.

4:42 PM: First word of a flooded business – Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (6400 California SW; WSB sponsors) were flooded and have to close for the rest of today and tomorrow.

5:03 PM: A request from the aforementioned neighbors who’ve tried to unclog drains on Fauntleroy north of Morgan Junction – SLOW DOWN! (photo added, from Frank G)

Creeks are running high too after the deluge. Laura sent this photo from the daylighted Alki end of Schmitz Creek:

5:19 PM: Almost every arterial has had flooding – Debora emails to say that includes Delridge, “a deep river with cars stalled and flooded and traffic backed up both directions given buses’ refusal to navigate the deep water.” (added) Brandon sent this photo showing why the north end of Delridge was closed:

Trouble for waterborne transportation too: The West Seattle and Vashon water taxis have both been canceled for the rest of the evening. … With the temperature dropping as noted above – now it’s into the upper 30s – that chance of slushy snow later doesn’t seem as unlikely as it did when temps were in the 50s earlier.

5:40 PM: Some paths have been swamped too – like the bike/ped path along the north end of Delridge, north of Andover. This photo is just in from Joseph:

To the west, Shauna recorded what Spokane Street was like under the bridge earlier:

5:52 PM: Commenters are seeing some snow. … And a few minutes later, here in Upper Fauntleroy, so are we! (added) Slushy accumulation on a car:

The National Weather Service says that “precipitation has ended on the coast,” so as hard as it might be to believe after all this, that “mostly sunny” forecast for tomorrow does seem in reach.

6:57 PM: Still snowing here. And video from @WestSeaWX:

7:33 PM: Snow hasn’t stopped yet.

Forecast hasn’t changed yet, either. Top-of-the-hour temperature was down to 34 degrees – 21-degree drop from 3 pm.

8:37 PM: Crews have been dispatched to check out a report of a tree down on 35th SW, south of Morgan.

9:39 PM: The evening edition of the forecast is out – still projecting sunshine for tomorrow.

11:40 PM: Still some snow on the ground (and the shrubbery).

(Photo by Jamie Kinney)

A two-sided sky show at the end of this long holiday weekend – a deep pink sunset to the west, as the full moon rose in the east.

(Photo by Mike Jensen)

And to the south – Mount Rainier was sporting a.cap:

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

(AKA, a lenticular cloud.) Looking to the northeast, a sunset reflection and the returning fog:

(Photo by Sergio Ramos)

And one more look at the full sunset colors:

(Photo by Tom Stoner)

Thanks to everyone for the photos!

(Photos above and below by Marc Milrod at Constellation Park)

5:40 PM: After a beautiful sunset, we’re expecting the sun to return tomorrow – and much of next week, according to the newest forecast.

Right now, Monday is the only day in the week ahead when rain is predicted.

(Photo by Chuck Jacobs at Hiawatha)

Unless it rains an inch on Monday, we’ll be finishing this month with below-average rainfall, according to the National Weather Service stats.

6:56 PM: As the sun was setting, the near-full moon was rising, and Jerry Simmons photographed it with an Alaska Airlines fly-by:

The official full-moon moment is 1:29 am Monday (after a 4:10 pm Sunday moonrise); this time, it’s the “Beaver Moon.”

5:28 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo of this afternoon’s rainbow. The National Weather Service‘s wind alert has now officially expired – no trouble reported during the blustery day – but the weather hasn’t settled down yet – if you were out just before dusk, you might have noticed the massive squall line to the west – here’s a view tweeted by @WestSeaWx:

Tonight’s outlook – breezy and showery, with “a slight chance of thunderstorms until early morning.”

6:04 PM: Daniel reports deep water on Harbor Avenue by Seacrest – beware! Also, the NWS says today’s high temperature was a record – 63 degrees at Sea-Tac.

ADDED 7:19 PM: Crews responded to handle the flooding. Meantime, Jon McAllister sent another view of the afternoon rainbow:

Be sure everything’s charged! The National Weather Service has a “Wind Advisory” alert for our area, 8 am-5 pm today, with the possibility of 25-35 mph wind from the south, gusting to 50 mph. Could be notably warmer, too, possibly reaching a high temperature in the low 60s.

(Last Friday’s windblown waves at Alki, photographed by Marc Milrod)

That chilly north wind had barely stopped blowing when rumblings began about a POSSIBLE windstorm on the way this Friday night. No alerts so far, but weather-watchers have been talking about it. Cliff Mass, for one, wrote about it last night, but he warned of “considerable uncertainty.” And even in tonight’s Forecast Discussion, the National Weather Service notes “confidence in wind potential remains low” regarding the storm. (Its Seattle main page currently features the phrase “Wind event possible.”) As with most forecasting around here, things seem to be – pardon the phrase – up in the air until a day or two out. But we’re mentioning it so you can be mindful of charging and other preparations, always smart at this time of year anyway.

(Photo by Kersti Muul)

Another day of waves and spray at Alki – as a fierce north wind continued to blow. But fans of calmer weather will be happy to hear it’s on the way out.

(Photo by Kersti Muul)

Tonight, the forecast says, the wind is expected to shift and slow, to 10 mph from the east. Then tomorrow and for the next few days, it’ll be out of the south/southwest.

(Photo by Gabriella Jeakle)

While the wind speed is falling, so is the temperature – might be below freezing tonight.

(Mt. Baker from West Seattle – photo by Lynn Hall)

The views like these are on their way out too – with clouds due to return tomorrow afternoon.

11:10 AM: Thanks to Marc Milrod for the photo above – received just as we noticed the wind-fueled waves while passing through Alki. We stopped for a quick clip:

This is from the northerly winds that canceled the West Seattle Water Taxi run this morning. The National Weather Service says gusty north winds will continue all day. Also in view from Alki – snow on the Olympics, as photographed by Stewart L.:

And another Alki angle from Marc:

With all this clearing, the NWS says sunshine’s on the way for the rest of today and much of the weekend.

11:56 AM: Two more photos just in – this one from a reader who says, “Our family took advantage of our break during school to learn about weather”:

And from Laurie Johnston:

(Photo from seattle.gov)

Another fall tradition – keeping leaves from clogging storm drains. In November – which (in case you’ve lost track) starts tomorrow – Seattle Public Utilities allows customers to put out up to 10 additional bags of yard/food waste at no extra charge. (Monday update: We confirmed that this HAS changed from past years – it’s now 10 extra bags PER COLLECTION DAY.) The city sent this reminder:

Here are ways to manage fallen leaves:

1. Rake leaves and put them into your yard waste cart. If you have more than will fit into the cart, place extras in a compostable lawn and leaf bag or a reusable container with a lid. Put them out next to your yard waste container on collection day – no plastic bags.

2. Place raked leaves on bare soil as mulch in your landscape and garden. This conserves water, controls weeds and fertilizes the soil. Contact the Garden Hotline to learn more – 206-633-0224 or visit gardenhotline.org.

You’re also reminded that if you’re clearing storm drains, “stand on the curb, not in the street,” and leave the arterial drain clearing to the city – if it’s non-urgent, you can report it online; if it’s urgent – as in, a blocked drain causing flooding – call 206-386-1800.

11:29 AM: On this breezy Saturday, with wind out of the north up to 25 mph, readers have sent these two sightings – above, from Julie, a fallen tree in Schmitz Park, “blocking the trail that leads up to Hinds Street”; below, via text, a toppled toilet at Alki Beach:

The forecast says it’ll stay breezy most of the weekend. The alert for tomorrow, meantime, has changed to a Frost Advisory, 2 am-10 am Sunday, with the morning low possibly dipping into the upper 20s.

P.S. Both of the above are an example of what you can also call in to the Seattle Parks maintenance line to be sure they know too – 206-684-7250.

ADDED 1:50 PM: One more breezy scene – Jerry Simmons caught a kiteboarder off Alki:

(Wednesday at Alki – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Back on Tuesday, we warned you that the first freezing forecast of the year was on the way. Now the National Weather Service has an official alert about it, issuing a “Freeze Watch” for Sunday morning, 2 am-10 am. That means, the NWS says, “Sub-freezing temperatures of 27 to 32 degrees (are) possible.” Highs Sunday and Monday will be in the 40s, then warning to the 50s on Tuesday, the forecast says.

(Alki Lighthouse – photo by David Hutchinson)

One month into fall, a hint of winter is on the way. The forecast for this weekend brings the first low-30s lows, and even a mention of frost Sunday morning.

(Lincoln Park – photo by Susan Romanenghi)

The big cooldown starts tomorrow – highs might not get out of the 40s again until next Tuesday. Last October, we didn’t get to freezing, but we got close – a 33-degree low on October 30th.

6:49 PM: The National Weather Service has a “Wind Advisory” alert in effect for our area noon-6 pm Tuesday. What it’s currently forecasting:

* WHAT…Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 45 to 50 mph expected. …

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

See the full text of the advisory here.

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: The wind advisory moved ahead a few hours overnight – it’s now in effect 8 am-6 pm Tuesday.

6:16 PM: That was the view from Alki Avenue late this afternoon, as smoke from the south arrived. But the National Weather Service says it will not be anything like what we experienced earlier this month:

Smoke from California fires is making its way into Western Washington. This smoke will mainly be aloft and the air quality index is expected to remain in the good category. The skies are expected to become hazy starting this evening.

One of the newer large fires in Northern California is ravaging wine country north of San Francisco.

ADDED: Two views of the slightly smoky sunset – from Dan Ciske:

And from Vanessa Carr:

Thanks for the photos of the last summer sunset of 2020! Above, from David McDorman; below, from Jan Pendergrass:

Fall arrives tomorrow at 6:30 am; 12 hours later that, watch autumn’s first sunset virtually with Alice!