Thanks to everyone who’s sharing views of tonight’s sunset show – second bright night in a row, this time following a summer-like day! Above, from Upper Alki, courtesy of JayDee; next, a texter shared the Charlestown Hill view:

And from Tony in Gatewood – the “before” view:

We’re collecting others to add to a gallery here – more to come.

ADDED: By Nicole, featuring Seahawk spirit:

Taken near Lincoln Park, by Trileigh Tucker:

Thanks to Max (top left), Heather (top right), Pete (lower left), Maria (lower right) for this evening’s rainbow photos – click any/all to see a larger version!

No, not down here. The snow seen from West Seattle today is on the Olympic Mountains, glimpsed briefly this morning from Luna/Anchor Park. In fact, the Olympics are under a Winter Weather Advisory until tomorrow morning.

P.S. Some snow in the Cascades too – and if that has you thinking about skiing, do note that two ski shuttles operated from West Seattle last year; when the season gets closer and we hear updates on this year’s availability, we’ll share the news.

(Added 10:09 pm: Photo by Tom Marx)
(NOTE: We’re keeping these updates “pinned” to the top of the home page while the warning’s in effect – so there’s newer news BELOW this story on the home page – scroll below this story to see it.)

5:21 PM: Six hours after the National Weather Service upped its alert to a High Wind Warning – see it here – it’s officially in effect. The forecast is for wind picking up this evening, “increasing from the south at 20 to 35 mph, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.” Rain continues too, and our area is under a Flood Watch until noon tomorrow. Updates to come.

6:03 PM: Evening’s first traffic problem – a crash reported on the downhill side of Roxbury/Olson/4th. Uphill side had a mishap earlier (see our photo on Twitter).

7:49 PM: Roxbury seems to be the trouble nexus tonight. Now there’s a report of vehicle/bicycle collision on the county side around 26th/Roxbury. Meantime, check the comment section for weather analyst MetPatrick‘s updates and other discussion on how the storm is turning.

8:37 PM: Traffic note – Kim says via Twitter that there’s a median crash on Admiral Way, a few blocks east of California. No medics dispatched, per 911 log. Meantime, the weather experts are starting to say the winds will NOT be so strong because of where the “low” made landfall – see MetPatrick’s comment below, and see weather analyst Cliff Mass‘s update.

9:29 PM: The National Weather Service’s evening “forecast discussion” is up. NWS also mentions a diminishe(d) threat but says it’s not ready to drop the warnings yet (caps theirs): “BESIDES THE INCREASING PRESSURE GRADIENTS…THERE ARE SOME STRONG WINDS JUST OFF THE SURFACE WHICH COULD MIX DOWN IN THE UNSTABLE AIR BEHIND THE FRONT.”

10:47 PM: First downed-tree report we’ve had since Saturday:

That tree’s down along the sidewalk by the drop-off mailboxes outside the Junction Post Office – note the Hi-Yu mural in the background. Thanks to Jamie Hanley for the photo.

11:25 PM: Via text – a tree branch is down on the road in the Orchard/Dumar/Myrtle vicinity just east of Delridge.

11:56 PM: And a new problem – a crash on Highland Park Way hill, between Holden and West Marginal Way, is closing it off both ways; apparently they need to call City Light in for a pole problem.

2 AM: The wind warning has been downgraded to a wind advisory, in effect until 6 am.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story included updates and additions into mid-afternoon, including several crashes – scroll through)

We’re tracking weather and traffic again today – and, in a separate update later, will do so tonight too. First:

WIND WARNING FOR TONIGHT: The National Weather Service’s alert just intensified while we were typing this – now it’s a High Wind Warning, in effect 5 pm-4 am. See it here. The strongest winds are expected to be north of us, but overall, the NWS warns, “This has the potential to be one of the strongest September windstorms on record.” The alert says the wind will be “increasing from the south at 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.”

TRAFFIC SO FAR TODAY: The Admiral exit from the westbound bridge was closed a while because of this crash at the bottom of the hill that the exit leads to (technically, the 3400 block of 30th SW):

We drove past it and tweeted about it last hour; no injuries that we know of – no medic dispatch. Also, while we didn’t get an alert at the time, it should be noted there was ANOTHER northbound Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct crash this morning, in the 8 am hour. …

ADDED 11:50 AM: Problem at the east end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge, possible spinout/crash as Columbian Way leads to Spokane Street. Not sure about traffic effects.

ADDED 12:40 PM: Thanks to Devon for the tip – crash at Fauntleroy/Edmunds is blocking at least part of the road; no serious injuries reported.

Thanks to the person who texted that photo!

ADDED 1:58 PM: Two-car crash at 42nd/College in the Admiral District. Big response as it’s a “heavy rescue” call.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
2:20 PM UPDATE: Heavy-rescue response canceled. No serious injuries. At least one parked car involved. SW College is closed from 41st to 42nd, which is just north of the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library.

(Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive, photographed by Greg Daly)
11:43 AM: The storm’s intensifying, and the National Weather Service now has wind alerts in effect (read them here). Here’s what the NWS says could happen, with a Wind Advisory for the area through 7 pm tonight, and a High Wind Watch for late Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening:

*TODAY: SOUTH WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH.

*LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT: SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH A STRONGER SYSTEM.

If you haven’t already charged up your phone, flashlight, etc., now’s a great time, just in case.

1:07 PM UPDATE: More practical advice – check the drains around your home if applicable; we just spent an hour bailing and then digging out the one that is supposed to keep our basement from flooding (which was starting to happen). Above, we’ve added a photo courtesy of Greg Daly, of an overwhelmed drainage-system lid by Lowman Beach – if you see or experience storm-related problems (or otherwise interesting scenes), please send to editor@westseattleblog.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

3:33 PM UPDATE: Nathan tweeted this photo of a tree down in Arbor Heights (thank you!):

He reports that it’s across 35th at 108th.

4:39 PM UPDATE: The wind is really picking up now – with the downpour accompanying it – stay safe!

4:51 PM UPDATE: Also via Twitter, we get a photo of another tree blocking a road, this time 48th at Eddy, just uphill/north of Lowman Beach heading toward Seaview:

Once again, we have a stormy weekend forecast – including a “special weather statement” alert from the National Weather Service. Though last weekend didn’t turn out to be as windy and rainy as feared, it’s important to be prepared just in case this round of storminess is the real deal. One small thing you can do that might be a big help, just in case – check the storm drain(s) near your home, office, apartment building, etc., to be sure falling leaves haven’t covered them. We’ll keep watch on the weather throughout the weekend as always, and if anything out of the ordinary happens where you are, you can reach us 24/7 at 206-293-6302, text or voice – thanks!

6:27 PM: Alice says the weather is good enough, she’s changed her mind and fall equinox sunset watch is back on! Get over to Solstice Park (uphill behind the tennis courts across from the gas station north of Lincoln Park).

7:42 PM: We got there right around sunset – clouds obscured the sun, but a bit of color still splashed the sky. Alice’s daughter (with mom, below) had the whole world in her hands:

This was her 18th solstice/equinox-sunset watch at the park, where particular stones are set to mark the spots that should be in line with the equinox/solstice sunsets. In case you lost track – fall officially arrived at 1:44 pm our time, and up on the hillside, the chilly breeze was quite seasonal.

Thanks to Stefanie for sharing that cool view of this week’s spectacular moon – not likely to see it tonight, with clouds taking over and the breeze kicking up. Some rain might be on the way but the serious stuff is due on Sunday, according to a “special weather statement” issued this afternoon by the National Weather Service (read the full text here).

6:58 PM: And just in case you’re reading this in a windowless room, tonight’s wave of rain has arrived. In the thick of it right now, per KING 5‘s radar, but looks like some potential breaks later.

With clouds in the forecast the next few nights, it was widely opined that last night might have been the last best viewing of the sunset and moonrise until after autumn’s arrival on Sunday. So thank you to the photographers who shared their shots – Karen Derby‘s moonrise above; JayDee‘s sunset from Upper Alki, next:

Greg‘s view is from just east of Weather Watch Park:

And a bonus view – Keith‘s moonset scene from early Thursday:

Thanks again for the photos! P.S. Fall equinox sunset watch is this Sunday night, 6:30 pm, with Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park!

(Can’t see the clip? Go here to view it on Instagram)
6:10 PM: How serious is the thunder/lightning that’s moving through our area, the second bout today? So serious, the Seahawks-49ers game at CenturyLink Field has just been temporarily suspended for safety reasons. The National Weather Service says “scattered” thunderstorms are expected through this evening – bringing with them cloudbursts like yet another one we’re seeing and hearing right now (and the one recorded earlier in our brief Instagram clip above). No power outages in West Seattle so far – just flickers – but the City Light map shows scattered small outages elsewhere in the city.

6:22 PM: NWS has issued a “short-term forecast” saying this wave of storms, with “frequent dangerous lightning,” is expected to continue until about 7 pm.

6:46 PM: Since pets unfortunately can get spooked and bolt during thunderstorms, we want to make sure you’re aware that WSB hosts the only West Seattle-specific page for lost-and-found pets. Just got word of two more reunions, in fact. E-mail info (and a photo if you have one) to editor@westseattleblog.com.

7:23 PM: The weather has quieted and the Seahawks game has resumed.

(ADDED: Trio with umbrellas at West Seattle Car Show; WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
9:41 AM: And just after we published the calendar highlights for the day, lightning/thunder/rain arrived. Here’s the “lightning radar” from our friends at KING 5; the rain radar shows it’s moving through from southeast to northwest. We’ll keep you updated on how this affects the events for today/tonight; so far, we have one change, in High Point, where HP’s own “Night Out” will move indoors at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center instead of being outside in local parks.

9:55 AM: The thunder has moved on and the downpour has stopped.

10:44 AM: And now the sun is trying to break through. To commemorate the occasion, the car show DJ is playing “Here Comes the Sun.”

What a night! The photos above are courtesy of Illex Photography – taken six seconds apart, the second during lightning that, the photographer says, “turned night into day.” Now the question many are asking: When will the rain stop? While the National Weather Service still has a “flood watch” in effect for our area until 6 tonight, after that, the rain is supposed to ease, in time for the weekend.

(If you can’t see the Instagram video above, click here to see it there)
4:27 PM: In case you’re wondering if that expected downpour is still on the way – YES, says the National Weather Service. Its latest alert is a “Hazardous Weather Outlook,” predicting heavy rainfall into tonight, possibly up to two inches. Read the alert here. The flood-watch alert remains effect through tomorrow; read the latest version here.

P.S. One weather-related cancellation so far – Schmitz Park Elementary’s Friday night outdoor-movie fundraiser has been canceled because there’s a 90 percent chance of rain; no new date yet.

6:18 PM UPDATE: The 15-second Instagram video is from just before 6 pm, south of Alki Point. And just minutes ago, the rain resumed here at HQ in Upper Fauntleroy. We hope this storm will pass trouble-free, but if it gets to the point of trees down, clogged street drains, or anything else people should know about, as with all breaking news, please let us know too, once you’ve alerted authorities – text or call 206-293-6302 any time.

10:59 PM UPDATE: As discussed in comments, the rain’s returned. Thunder and lightning too.

ORIGINAL REPORT, NOON: Might want to doublecheck your gutters/storm drains/etc. before tomorrow. A “special weather statement” issued by the National Weather Service (read it here) says up to two inches of rain is possible in this area Thursday/Friday, with the heaviest rain likely to start around midday Thursday.

3:55 PM: The NWS now has upgraded it to a “flood watch,” starting noon tomorrow. Read the new alert here.

What seems like the endless summer just keeps putting on amazing shows like this, even with the fall equinox now exactly one month away. Thanks to everyone sharing photos – we start with three and expect to add more – above, by Michael Copeland, shows the later stage as the sky glowed pink; next, the orange heart of the sunset, from BCH in Fauntleroy:

And early on, Chas Redmond sent this photo from Alki Point:

ADDED: Even more photos – like this one from Tom, taken on Beach Drive:

***Other views ahead!***

Read More

This was a day bookended by a beautiful sunset and a glorious moonset. Above, thanks to Scott Bessho for the sunset photo from Lincoln Park; below, thanks to Greg Anderson for sharing this morning’s memorable moonset, over a ferry bound for Southworth:

Tonight’s sunset and moonrise were just two minutes apart, and if you’re up early tomorrow and have a view to the west, you can check out the next moonset. You can always find the sun/moon rising/setting times, plus forecasts, tides, and more, on the WSB West Seattle Weather page.

10:59 PM: Before we get to tonight’s forecast – sunset views! First three photos are from the Alki vicinity – top, by Annika Bowden. Next, by Russ Walker:

This next one is by Carolyn Newman:

And next – a Lincoln Park view by Jim Clark:

As for our lightning prospects – right now, it’s only happening far to the east, according to KING 5‘s lightning page. But commenter MetPatrick (“met” as in meteorologist) – who saw last night’s show coming, about 8 hours in advance – said a few hours ago that he still thinks it’s possible tonight.

2:28 AM UPDATE: Continuing to watch the aforementioned lightning radar – looks like it’s all moved directly north to north-central Washington now, so our chances of an encore appear to have dwindled.

(SCROLL DOWN for lightning photos, some added Saturday)

11:52 PM: Thanks to Christi for the Friday night sunset shot, as clouds just started to wander this way. Right now, some areas of Western Washington are seeing lightning and thunder, and the National Weather Service has a short-term alert in place, suggesting it might head in this direction. WSB commenter “MetPatrick” noted in e-mail hours ago that this might happen (especially 2-5 am) – potentially again Saturday night, maybe even Sunday night. So don’t be surprised if you hear rumbles and/or see flashes.

12:38 AM: And there it is – rain, lightning, and some thunder.

2:48 AM: Added the lightning photo, which is by Chris Clark (thanks!). All’s quiet now, but that was quite a show!

ADDED MIDMORNING SATURDAY: Another photo! The one immediately above is by Mike Russell.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Two more photos just in! This one is courtesy of Max – looking east past the bridge:

And from John Brunt –

Thanks again! Still a chance it’ll be stormy again tonight, but right now, the sun’s back, and a welcome sight for the afternoon.

ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: SP from Arbor Heights had a great view, pointed toward Vashon/Maury:

Right now the southeast and east are seeing/hearing lightning again – late tonight we might too.