Look what showed up for NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s quarterly solstice/equinox sunset watch in West Seattle – the sun! Two hours earlier, Alice tweeted at us regarding the sudden sun sighting:

While the gatherings are mostly a chance to find out more about the solar-system phenomena from a volunteer expert, actually seeing the sun means a chance to check the alignment of Solstice Park‘s special features. Here are some of the 30 or so sunset-watchers who showed up:

Checking our archives, it seems the sun appeared for last year’s winter-solstice-sunset event, too. This year, Alice had something extra to explain:

In recent months, she became an expert 2012-end-of-world debunker (see her various links/explanations here), so there was an extra note of triumph in the simple fact that tonight’s event did happen as scheduled. (P.S. The solstice moment itself was 3:12 am today. Next up – spring equinox, 4:02 am our time March 20, 2013. Watch for Alice’s event announcement when it gets closer – it’ll be on her website, along with other interesting astronomical updates, at alicesastroinfo.com.)

FIRST REPORT, 3:54 AM: Though the maps showed Seattle in the “snow shadow” again, snow is falling right now here in Upper Fauntleroy. Just one of the showers mentioned in the forecast? Just went out to check, and it’s fairly wet snow – sticking to the cars, but also audibly melting in the downspout. (Video added above, 4:09 am.) Let us know if you’re seeing any where you are.

4:24 AM UPDATE: It switched to freezing rain after a few minutes – but now flakes are mixed in again – seems to be right in line with the “rain/snow showers” forecast. Photo shows what that first wave left on the car window.

5:04 AM UPDATE: Another serious snow shower’s been under way awhile – more on the car, but not on the road so far. Added the bridge cam view just in case. (You can see more West Seattle and WS-relevant cams here.)

6:55 AM UPDATE: No major problems or changes related to the snow showers.

9:35 AM UPDATE: The winter-weather advisory for the area will expire at 10 am, and the latest forecast says that by afternoon, precipitation will be all rain.

(1st three photos from Monday, by Nick Adams for WSB)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We have just learned that yesterday morning’s highest water level – the combination of high tide and “storm surge” – wasn’t just high, it was historic – the highest level ever recorded in Seattle.

The word comes from Seattle Public Utilities, which has to track this closely because of the effects storms and high tides can and do have on their facilities – look closely to see the water coming OUT of this manhole on Beach Drive, instead of going in:

And SPU meteorologist James Rufo-Hill tells WSB it’s likely “a harbinger of things to come.” More from our interview, ahead:

Read More

1:49 AM: First snow sightings – Westwood, Sunrise Heights, Highland Park. Forecast still does not suggest anything major, though.

6:12 AM: Nothing on the ground where we are. And Seattle is still in the (small) “snow shadow” zone on the National Weather Service map you can see here – meaning no alerts/advisories/warnings right now.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Anyone seen a dock? After the big-surf day on Beach Drive, Kathleen is missing one from the 5400 block. She says: “I’m certain we are not the only ones, but if you end up with an unfamiliar dock on or near your beach, please post a pic or give me a call at 206-734-5992.”

That’s just one of today’s many storm stories. We covered the high wind, high waves, and high tide as it all unfolded this morning – see our morning coverage here for as-it-happened video and photos – but tonight, we have one more look at a day that won’t soon be forgotten. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams captured the fierce beauty …

… and the hard work:

That’s Rhonda Porter and son Taylor carrying water-pump hoses to a neighbor’s home. It was a day for neighbors helping neighbors, and for the Seattle Fire Department to be called in here and there:

The water caused some electrical trouble here and there.

Eight more photos ahead:

Read More

(The Olympics seen Monday morning from Beach Drive, by Nick Adams for WSB)
The mountains today – your place tomorrow? Here’s the latest on whether we might see some snow early Tuesday morning (and beyond). The newest forecast includes the possibility of rain/snow showers after midnight – and pegs the snow level at 400 feet (West Seattle’s highest spot is 512′ by Myrtle Reservoir); the chance of snow showers continues throughout the day, but the snow level is expected to rise to 500 feet in the afternoon.

Weather analyst Cliff Mass just published a late-afternoon update, and says he does not think the lowlands will see much if any – he believes the city will be in a snow shadow. But, as with this morning’s wind, waves, and high tide, we’ll be tracking the weather again overnight and into tomorrow, so stay tuned.

(Short clip of what it sounded like around 2 am – just in case you sleep through the whole thing)
1:57 AM: In the past 20 minutes or so, the wind has arrived in a big way where we are, west-facing Upper Fauntleroy. The forecast remains the same – the National Weather Service has our area under a wind advisory until 4 pm today. If the NWS keeps to its usual timetable, the next likely forecast update will be within the next two hours or so. We’ll be monitoring everything throughout the morning – here’s hoping for no major trouble, but if there’s a power problem, a downed tree, etc., where you are, please let us know (text or call 206-293-6302).

2:25 AM: Some links we’re watching:
**City Light power-outage map (none as of this writing)
**Hourly readings at weather stations (the T column is temperature, SP is wind speed, GS is wind gusts)
**Seattle City Light’s “Wind Watch” animated forecasting

(Added 6:38 pm: Rainy Junction evening; photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
3:31 PM: What was a National Weather Service high-wind watch for our area is now a wind advisory, 10 pm tonight till 4 pm tomorrow – see it here. We’ll be updating throughout the night/morning. There’s also a “coastal flood advisory” for “minor tidal overflow” in waterfront areas 7 am-11 am tomorrow, since the wind will coincide with a very high tide (12.9 feet, 8:17 am Monday). And then, the forecast for Monday night and Tuesday DOES suggest some snow on the hills. However, as we’ve already noted via Facebook and Twitter – if you received a “blizzard warning” on your phone, that does NOT involve our area – just the mountains.

5:36 PM UPDATE: Seattle City Light has updated its Power Lines site to say it’s prepared in case of outages, with extra staff. And regarding that “blizzard warning,” KING5.com has the explanation.

Be sure you have batteries on hand, and check around your house for anything in danger of being picked up and blown around: The National Weather Service has renewed its High Wind Watch for our area – in effect late tomorrow night through Monday morning. See it here; the NWS says it’ll be southwest wind, “rising to 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts to 60 mph.” We’ll keep close watch on the changing forecast, as well as the wind itself if/when it arrives.

10:24 AM: Two weather notes this morning – First, just received a text (206-293-6302 any time) noting “lumpy rain” north of Roxbury. The National Weather Service did warn of “rain mixed with snow” in this morning’s forecast update – increasing winds, too, and we’ve seen them kick up here. The NWS also has a Special Weather Statement out for the region, including our area, about a big storm headed this way late Sunday and into Monday – wind and rain mentioned, not snow, though “snow showers” are noted as possible in the aforementioned forecast. P.S. Could be extra-problematic in waterfront areas if high wind coincides with the ongoing high tides – Beach Drive Blog has a mashup of all that info together.

4:57 PM UPDATE: The Special Weather Statement has since been upgraded to a High Wind Watch for late Sunday night into early Monday morning – see it here.

Thanks to early-rising WSB’ers for sharing photos of this morning’s short-lived sunbreak – which revealed the moon and the mountains, and high tide. Top photo is from JayDee in Upper Alki; next, from Leslie, on Beach Drive:

The water was so high over at Don Armeni, Carolyn Newman reports, launching a boat required extra wading:

And from Don Brubeck, a closer look at the snow-frosted Olympic Mountains in the early-morning light:

Thanks to everyone who shared photos – the sun’s long gone, at least for now!

Thanks to the WSB’er who shared the photo; after a night of pounding rain, a mudslide behind a building in the 1300 block of Alki Avenue SW is reported to have damaged three vehicles, pushing them into each other. We’ll be checking to find out more; the National Weather Service‘s newest forecast says showery, breezy weather will continue today. Any weather trouble where you are? Let us know – thanks!

A promise that the weather will improve? Forecast says that tonight and most of tomorrow should be calmer. Meantime, WSB’ers have shared views of the rainbow sighting this past half-hour or so – top photo is from Glenn Brooks. Next, from Lise Thivierge, a High Point view:

And from Willie Ellenberg via the WSB Facebook page, a double rainbow!

Thanks as always to everyone for sharing – editor@westseattleblog.com (or other contact channels) any time!

Wild weather this afternoon! The photo was shared by Carlos H. via Twitter. And though there’s a band of blue sky advancing as we type, you should know we’re under a wind advisory till early evening, too, as the next front literally blows through. Local meteorologist Patrick K. points out that what you see in Carlos’s photo is a “squall line.” Latest forecast says rain/showers are expected to continue off and on all week. If you can, take advantage of the impending break in the rain to clear your nearest storm drain! It’s usually a quick job, since yours probably isn’t THIS imposing:

That’s the Longfellow Creek sluice gate at 25th and Juneau; Lauren has been telling us about it, and shared the above “before” photo, with leaves, sticks and logs cluttering it till cleared – not by city crews (though we’ve seen them out and about all day) but by her husband. If it gets clogged, there’s a risk of big flooding, Lauren explains.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Our stormy day had two distinct phases – in the morning, it was all about the water, including the mini-lake in WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ image from SW Barton Street. In the afternoon, it was all about the wind:

The tree-buried SUV was in Sunrise Heights, in the 7100 block of 32nd SW; head-on, it was almost completely out of sight.

Other toppled trees were featured in our afternoon coverage.

Tomorrow’s forecast: Rain at times, but mostly in the afternoon, so the morning commute, at least, shouldn’t resemble anything like today.

(Our morning storm coverage is here)

(Added 2:30 pm: Tree down in Junction; photo courtesy Marty Sweetman)
1:25 PM: We’re launching afternoon storm coverage now, with widespread reports of power flickers – we were in a Junction business where it flickered twice a few minutes ago, and the wind is gusty out of the south here too. More to come.

(Added 2:40 pm: Nickelsville resident JS, building a walkway; WSB photo by Nick Adams)
1:32 PM UPDATE: We’ve received a request for help from Nickelsville via intermediaries – they need gasoline to power generators to pump out floodwaters at the camp (West Marginal and Highland Park Way). If you can help, just take some down.

1:36 PM UPDATE: Serious wave action south of Alki Point, as is usual with wind out of the southwest. We checked on the flickers – there is NO larger outage anywhere, so far. Just widespread flickers. Just in case it does go out later, be sure you have what you need nearby – charge your phone, have batteries for whatever needs batteries, keep a flashlight handy, etc.

1:52 PM UPDATE: Just got back to WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy for the first time in an hour or so – we’re out of power here. City Light map says about 150 customers (homes/businesses).

(Added 2:30 pm: Tree down on 18th near Sanislo Elementary; photo courtesy Cary Swain Seely)
2:25 PM UPDATE: There is some good news – the rain stopped. For now. But there are scattered reports of trees down – saw one along Fauntleroy in Fairmount Springs; Kevin sent word of one in Endolyne; no major road blockages reported, though. (Update – see the photo added above from 18th SW – that may be causing trouble.) City Light, meantime, says it doesn’t know yet what’s to blame for the outage in Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood.

(Added 2:40 pm: Tree down at 45th and Wildwood in Fauntleroy)
2:49 PM: Scott reports via Twitter that Admiral is closed between 58th and 59th because of a power pole that looks to be in danger of falling.

3:04 PM UPDATE: Cami says it’s actually closed at 57th. We’ll have a crew in the area shortly. Also via comments, Cait says Webster is closed in the Delridge vicinity. THANK YOU to everyone continuing to share information and photos.

3:14 PM UPDATE: Photojournalist Nick Adams, out on storm coverage for WSB today, is at 58th/Admiral with the power-pole problem and says traffic is now open again, one lane each way.

(added later) This photo courtesy of Don Brubeck shows the pole while it was leaning:

NEW traffic problem that might affect some people headed toward West Seattle – southbound Battery Street Tunnel is closed, apparently because of a crash, per SDOT.

3:37 PM UPDATE: City Light map shows the Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy outage over – we’re working away from HQ right now so can’t verify. Couple other scattered, very small outages in spots around West Seattle. (Few minutes later) Battery Street Tunnel southbound now OPEN again, per WSDOT. Meantime, some bus reroutes out there – just got one from Metro re: Route 128 routed off 16th between Henderson and Cambridge.

4:23 PM UPDATE: No new problems reported lately. But still give yourself extra time to get home. Any break in the weather is just temporary, the forecasters say. And take note this is already the rainiest November 19th on record.

5:27 PM UPDATE: Got e-mail saying that the Admiral exit from the West Seattle Bridge has a major puddle/pond, so avoid if you can. Meantime, the rain comes and goes – raining hard again about 20 minutes ago, not so bad right now, but still lots of water everywhere. P.S. If you’re on a bus and have some time, here’s a new West Seattle-specific survey from Metro, explained and linked here.