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West Seattle weather 2189 results

West Seattle scenes: Sunset, shining on the water
January 26, 2013 7:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Toni T. for sharing the gleaming downtown view from tonight’s sunset. That gives us the opportunity to add three photos received Friday night but put on hold because of semi-breaking news:

That photo and the next one are by Annika Bowden.

And here’s one by John Hinkey (who also contributed the swimmer/boarder view in today’s calendar preview), with a Bremerton ferry rounding southeast Bainbridge Island:

Rain’s on the way back, per the newest forecast.

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West Seattle scene: What the inversion looked like from above
January 24, 2013 9:36 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

It’ll probably be quite a while before we forget what it was like to be UNDER all that stagnant air – but, courtesy of Long Bach Nguyen, we can see now what the inversion OVER West Seattle looked like, just before it went away earlier this week. As for the weather ahead – though we’re seeing some sunshine now, the forecast says rain will return tonight.

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What West Seattle’s frosty weather has in common with Mars
January 20, 2013 1:51 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

If you look closely, you’ll see another dimension to our frosty, foggy weather. Jason Gift Enevoldsen shares his photo, and this explanation:

A result of the recent slow freezes in WS this week, thin ice crystals (needle ice) lift up small rocks, dirt, and plants in unusual arrangements. It has been fascinating looking for these miniature landscapes and watching how they change from day to day.

And in a larger context, Jason adds:

My wife, Alice (alicesastroinfo.com), and I disagree about whether this should be properly called frost heave, needle ice, or soil creep. But in any case, she found that there’s evidence for a similar process (soil being moved by ice formation and thaw) on Mars:


(NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
The origin of this feature is not known for certain, but it resembles Arctic features on Earth called pingos. A pingo develops when ice lifts part of the ground, making a giant frost heave. This image, about 4 km wide, is part of image P15_007033_1915_XI_11N045W taken by the Context Imager (CTX) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The orbiter’s website, by the way, is showing even more wintry imagery right now.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow and ice, one year ago
January 19, 2013 5:12 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(January 19, 2012, photo by Meredith, taken from North Admiral)
Mired in the fog as we are, some WSB’ers have suggested a trip back in time … to the snow/ice that hit one year ago. James wrote today, “We are one year removed from Snowpocalypse 2012!!! Quite a difference a year makes. Might be fun to look back … ?” Kathleen e-mailed the same suggestion last night. Back on Tuesday, we asked “Think we’ll see snow this year?” (consensus: “no”) on the WSB Facebook page, while revisiting January 15, 2012; but an archive check reminds us the snowy, icy weather lasted for several days, with stories including these:

1/16/12: Photo roundup
1/18/12: Downhill skiing, Gatewood to Lowman Beach
1/19/12: Ice-storm warning
1/19/12: “Snow bird” photo gallery

But fog is the only “white stuff” we’ve dealt with this week, and it’s not expected to go away before Tuesday. Snow fans, don’t lose hope yet – the record for latest snowfall in Seattle is April 17, 1972, and that’s still three months away.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: The burn ban is back
January 18, 2013 3:19 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: The burn ban is back
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The off-and-on burn ban is BACK ON as of 4 pm today: Stage 1 burn ban for King County (see for yourself here). That means:

No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: ‘Dense fog advisory’ in effect
January 17, 2013 9:18 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We took that photo two hours ago, looking toward Hiawatha Playfield from the West Seattle High School parking lot – and the fog’s intensified since then. So much, that the National Weather Service has issued a “dense fog advisory” (read it here), warning of low visibility through tomorrow morning. Slick roads, too, we can verify firsthand.

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West Seattle weather update: No more burn ban
January 16, 2013 12:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The burn ban has just been lifted for King County – so that means you can use your fireplace (etc.) again, even if it’s not your main source of heating. It also means beach fires are OK again in the Alki Beach fire rings, so Seattle Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter says they’re planning to remove the no-fire signage. The weather forecast still hasn’t changed much, but “light wind” is now predicted, which means relief for the air-stagnation problem.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Burn-ban change
January 15, 2013 1:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

There’s still a burn ban in effect, but as of a few minutes ago, it’s lowered to Stage 1, from the original Stage 2. This still means you’re not supposed to use your fireplace unless it’s your main source of heat, and beach fires are still off-limits (even in the Alki rings), but it means pellet stoves and EPA-certified woodstoves and inserts are OK now, says the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

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West Seattle scenes: Midwinter night’s dreaminess
January 14, 2013 11:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by David Hutchinson)
In case you were nowhere near the outdoors or at least a window this evening … WSB’ers have contributed images of this evening’s spectacular sky show – mostly the sunset, but here’s the moonset:

Photo by Emily Austin)
And before the sunset turned pink … a golden view from Anchor/Luna Park:

(Photo by Don Brubeck)
While some took a sunset stroll – others were out for a sunset paddle:

(Photo by Eileen McHugh)
Tomorrow’s forecast – dry but cloudy and cold.

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Followup: Cleanup plan for Alki slide that’s blocked 55th for 5 days
January 14, 2013 12:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(WSB photo from last Wednesday)
Another followup: We just checked back with SDOT about the status of the slide blocking 55th SW a few blocks inland from Alki Beach; neighbors’ tips brought us first word of that slide last Wednesday. SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner tells WSB today, “SDOT Street Maintenance crews plan to clean it up tomorrow (January 15), and expect to open the road by late afternoon.” Did they work out whether it was the responsibility of the city or the slope’s owner (who has it listed for sale) to pay for the cleanup? Turner replies, “The question of who pays has not been resolved at this point.”

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Chilly week ahead
January 14, 2013 3:37 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

After a chilly weekend with beautiful sunsets like the one Michael Copeland photographed, we’re expecting a chilly week – daytime highs mostly in the 30s, according to the newest official forecast – check the current temp near you here. Some clouds expected today, too.

Thanks to 13-year-old Harrison for the downtown-skyline photo from Jack Block Park. Stay warm!

P.S. If you’re looking for the forecast, the current conditions, the tides, the sun/moon times/phases, even the UV index – stop by the WSB Weather page, any time.

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West Seattle weather: Burn ban just announced
January 13, 2013 12:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Evidence of how cold it is: Mark‘s icy photo from Alki)
With cold, dry weather and stagnating air, a Stage 2 burn ban has just been announced for King County – and that means no woodburning unless you have no other source of heat – no beach fires, either. Details:

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 2 burn ban in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to protect residents from worsening air quality. The bans are effective at noon, Sunday, January 13, 2013 and remain in effect until further notice.

Overnight, many areas around the Puget Sound reached air pollution levels of “UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS”, especially in areas where wood burning is common. Agency forecasters expect the current cold, dry, and stagnant weather conditions to extend well into the week. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the air quality and weather situation.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.
No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Be careful – icy night
January 12, 2013 8:09 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Karen Fejta)
Beautiful sunset, but now, a treacherous night – it’s already below freezing just after 8 pm, and the National Weather Service still has a special weather statement out about the cold weather. So far we’ve heard of at least two trouble spots for drivers/riders – the hill down to Harbor Avenue from the north end of California SW, and a few patches on the bridge. Anywhere the icy spots from last night/this morning melted, it wouldn’t have taken them long to re-freeze tonight. Let us know if you know of any other spots that people should be warned about.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: A bit of snow
January 10, 2013 9:52 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

9:52 AM: We’re getting widespread reports of light snow – and we’re seeing it here in Upper Fauntleroy, too. The “special weather statement” from the National Weather Service early this morning had continued to warn of possible “spotty lowland snow.” Seems to be moving north to south at the moment – we heard from Delridge and The Junction before seeing flakes here.

10:09 AM: “Spotty” may be just the right term. We have only had flurries, and there’s a big patch of blue sky headed this way.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Alki mudslide closes road
January 9, 2013 9:40 am
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

“Woke up to neighbor pounding on our door…landslide,” wrote a resident along 55th SW in Alki, where, as you see in our photo, the slide pushed a van across the road. 55th is closed at Alki SW as a result:

SDOT is out checking the slide scene – we’ll check with them later to see what the plan is. Here’s a closer look at the mud that came off the slope:

Neighbors are particularly concerned because they say sloping property in that area has been up for sale – we’re looking into that.

4 PM UPDATE: From SDOT’s Marybeth Turner: “SDOT is consulting with the Department of Planning and Development to determine who should clean up the slide.” Meantime, real-estate listings confirm that two parcels on that side of 55th are for sale, the one described as having “a relatively gentle slope” for $235,000, the other for $290,000; the listings say the site is in the process of being subdivided – though that is not evident in the DPD online records for the property. The zoning is for single-family housing.

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West Seattle weather: Wind advisory extended, gusts up to 50 mph
January 8, 2013 3:56 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The wind has just started kicking up in earnest at WSB HQ east of Lincoln Park, and the National Weather Service has just extended the current “wind advisory,” now in effect until 4 am. The NWS warns that gusts up to 50 mph are possible, so it’s a good time to make sure everything’s charged up. Here’s the full text of the advisory.

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West Seattle scene: The wave of the future?
January 7, 2013 2:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Wind from the west-southwest combined with high tide earlier this afternoon to send waves crashing over the seawall, fence, and road along Constellation Park south of Alki Point. We stopped for a photo to go with a reminder that another round of “king tides” is on the way – today’s high tide just before noon was just short of 12 feet, and the afternoon high tide is on the wane, but the morning high tide is on the rise, heading for a peak of 13.1 feet at 7:01 am next Monday (January 14th). You’ll recall that the highest “king tide” a month earlier (WSB 12/17/12 coverage here) combined with a storm surge to make history with the city’s highest high-water level ever – inundating many homes along Beach Drive. Too soon to say for sure, but, while Tuesday night and Wednesday look windy, the peak-tide period days later doesn’t look too bad so far. P.S. You can find the tide chart any time on the WSB Weather page.

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West Seattle New Year’s Eve 2012: Final sunset of the year
December 31, 2012 9:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The final day of 2012 began with a glorious sunrise … and made way for New Year’s Eve with a glorious sunset. Thanks to Doug Branch for the top photo, taken from Beach Drive; the photo below was tweeted by Lori Williams:

Anything in particular you’re hoping for in the New Year – simple or grand, neighborhood or personal? We asked the question on the WSB Facebook page over the weekend (just as it turned the odometer to 9,000 “likes” – thanks!) and you can see the replies here; add your own if you have a 2013 wish/hope/dream!

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West Seattle New Year’s Eve 2012 starts with spectacular sunrise
December 31, 2012 8:03 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Lise Thivierge for sharing the view from the West Seattle Water Taxi dock at Seacrest (regular schedule today but no WT service tomorrow, by the way). Beautiful start to the year’s final day.

ADDED: More views! This one’s from Michelle Stathoulis via the WSB Facebook page:

Fittingly, there’s a Sunrise Heights landmark in the foreground of Michelle’s sunrise view! And from Arbor Heights, Debbie Pierce sends this sunrise-watching scene:

That’s Debbie’s pup Austin enjoying the view.

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West Seattle weekend weather scenes, and the newest forecast
December 30, 2012 10:56 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend weather scenes, and the newest forecast
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Robert Kristofer Lanier, shared via the WSB Facebook page)
Tonight’s fog is expected to linger into the morning – but the newest forecast says that once it clears, it shouldn’t be back until after midnight tomorrow night; here’s hoping it holds off until the Space Needle’s fireworks show is over (12:07 am or so)! While tomorrow afternoon is projected as cloudy, the National Weather Service also thinks we might see sunshine again on New Year’s Day:

(Photo by Anne Higuera from Ventana Construction [WSB sponsor])
That’s how Lincoln Park’s north shore looked this afternoon. Thanks to Robert and Anne for sharing the photos!

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A view of the early-morning fog in The Junction, from John Kieltyka:

Also just spotted a Sunday afternoon skyline-with-fog view in the WSB Flickr group – see it here.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Of rainbows and rainfall
December 28, 2012 1:42 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Just before sunset on Thursday, north West Seattle enjoyed a beautiful rainbow view. We received two photos from Alki – top, from Russ Walker; below, from Ginny Trethewey:

A few hours later, the Seattle office of the National Weather Service shared some stats on this year’s rainfall:

Today was the 176th day this year with measurable precipitation at Sea-Tac. This is the 8th-highest total on record at Sea-Tac. The record is 194 days in 1950. The least number of days on record at Sea-Tac – 120 days in 1987.

Since October 1st there has been 21.78 inches of precipitation at Sea-Tac. 5th-highest October 1st to December 31st total. The record is 25.06 inches, set in 1955.

And yet it also has been a year with a record dry spell – the longest period in which only .01 inches of rain was recorded – 81 days in late summer/early fall.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow no longer expected
December 25, 2012 3:57 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo courtesy Jason Grotelueschen)
The “snow” that fell during Hope Lutheran Church‘s Christmas Eve services is apparently the only kind anyone in West Seattle will be seeing this holiday – the forecast has changed. The late-night forecast update from the National Weather Service now only mentions snow as a possibility for our neighbors across Puget Sound – and that’s reinforced by the 3 am “forecast discussion,” which basically says it’s not cold enough.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Chance of Christmas snow?
December 22, 2012 9:57 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Chance of Christmas snow?
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The mid-evening “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service still holds the possibility of some Christmas Day snow – the possibility that led the NWS to issue this Special Weather Statement advisory earlier today. Still too far away to say for sure, but they’re saying there’s a chance that precipitation will bump into cold air and result in Christmas snow for the first time since December 2008. We’ll keep an eye on how the forecast evolves!

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