West Seattle, Washington
07 Friday
Thanks to Joan (above) and Michael (below) for sending tonight’s sunset photos, as smoke reddens the setting sun and its reflection on Puget Sound for a third night.
The smoke and heat alerts continue through tomorrow, and then, the National Weather Service says tonight: “The thermal trough along the coast is expected to push inland tomorrow and east of the area late Thursday. Onshore flow should help improve smoke conditions as early as late Thursday along the coast and Friday for the interior.”
Perhaps the most striking feature of tonight’s smoke-red sunset was – if you were within sight of Puget Sound – the red reflection. Above is Mike Tyler‘s photo from Lincoln Park. The Air Quality Alert for wildfire smoke from around the region continues until 5 pm Thursday; the Heat Advisory will be in effect 10 am tomorrow until 10 pm Thursday.
That bird-enhanced view of the smoky sunrise is from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. Along with the ongoing Air Quality Alert throuh 5 pm Thursday, we now also have a Heat Advisory headed this way, 10 am Wednesday to 10 pm Thursday. Forecast highs are only in the 80s – but last time that was coupled with a heat alert, the actual highs turned out to be in the 90s.
11:49 AM: If you hadn’t already noticed the distinct tinge to the sunlight, the disappearance of the Olympics is another telltale clue that wildfire smoke is back. That was our view looking west from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block of Beach Drive SW) at 10:30 am. For now, the surface air quality here is still OK, but not for long; the National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert, to be in effect from noon today until 5 pm Wednesday. The alert warns, “Air quality conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day today as smoke begins to mix down to the surface.”
2:01 PM: We’re told one block in Arbor Heights has canceled its Night Out party “out of an abundance of caution” given the smoke forecast.
You’ve probably seen weather time-lapses. But probably not like the kind Upper Fauntleroy resident Robert Kosara has set up for a new website he’s updating nightly – here’s how he describes it:
Relive yesterday’s weather (and see how much sunshine we got)! I’m recording the sky with a pair of cameras overlooking Endolyne/Fauntleroy, to show the sun’s path across it every day from summer to winter solstice.
The actual project is for creating digital solargraphs. A solargraph records the path of the sun across the sky, usually over the course of several weeks or months, on photographic paper. I’ve built a digital version of this, which gives me a few more options for creating things like this website that shows the solargraph for every day.
You can browse the different days and scrub through each day’s data. The page is updated around 9:30pm every day with that day’s images.
Find “The Daily Solargraph” here.
(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
It was still in the mid-80s when we headed down to Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook to see the sunset tonight. On a float offshore, a seal was out for sunset watch too. Also this evening, Tom Trulin sent this photo of a Great Blue Heron flyby at Lincoln Park:
Just after sunset, intermittent light rain began to fall; the National Weather Service says thunderstorms are a possibility in the early am (we saw a flash over the Cascades while subsequently driving along the northeast West Seattle waterfront). But the weather should settle down by tomorrow pm, meaning a good evening for the second Admiral Music in the Parks concert!
(Photo courtesy Alki Kayak Tours)
With a Heat Advisory in effect tomorrow and Wednesday, and more warm days ahead here in the heart of summer, you might be planning ways to keep cool. Alki Kayak Tours – sibling business of WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters – is offering daily guided sea kayak tours leaving from its home base at Seacrest Pier in West Seattle 1660 Harbor SW). This page lists what’s available and how to book. Times and days vary, for options including the Elliott Bay Tour, Alki Point Lighthouse Tour, Sunset Tour, and the once-a-month Full Moon Tour, all two to three hours long.
12:52 PM: For almost four hours, we’ve heard the thunder – and the bursts of occasional heavy rain (like the intense downpour just minutes ago). But have you seen the lightning? The first photo we received of accompanying lightning is here; since then, we’ve received video. Above is video recorded by Mark Bauschke; below, speed-altered video from Kevin Freitas:
The National Weather Service is still predicting most of this will be over by mid-afternoon.
12:54 PM: Just two minutes after we published what’s above, the sun showed up!
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of tonight’s dramatic rainbow! Above, from Carolyn Newman; below, a closer view from Stewart L.:
A different foreground in this view from Jerry Simmons:
And a wide view across Elliott Bay from Hana Alishio:
Promisingly, the forecast for the days ahead suggests highs in the 70s. (Normal for today would have been 75; actual high, 68.)
4:45 PM: Thanks to Rainer Klett for the view from today’s mega-low tide (-4.3 feet, repeating Tuesday at 12:21 pm. The shore is a good place to be this afternoon because we’ve hit a record high for the second consecutive day – 89 degrees at the airport, second consecutive record high. We’ve seen the online airport temp at 90 since then, so 89 might not be the final word on today’s high. But regardless of that, the National Weather Service says the cooldown remains on schedule, and the Heat Advisory alert is still expected to expire at 5 am tomorrow
9:10 PM: Final word on the day’s record-high temp – 91 degrees.
(Saturday scene at Alki – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
10:25 AM: After a couple days of advance notice, the Heat Advisory alert from the National Weather Service is about to take effect, starting at 11 this morning. The NWS isn’t expecting record temperatures, but hot enough:
Hot conditions with high temperatures up to 85 to 90 degrees and low temperatures down to 60 to 65 degrees expected. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
This is just expected today and tomorrow, with the advisory currently set to expire at 5 am Tuesday (June 16).
COOLING CENTER AT THE Y: If it does heat up past 90, the YMCA (WSB sponsor) announced today that it’s offering cooling-center options:
During this heat wave, if temperatures exceed 90 degrees, YMCA of Greater Seattle branches will be open during their regular operating hours for all members of the community to enjoy as Cooling Centers — safe, welcoming spaces where everyone is invited (no membership needed).
Y members continue to have full access to all amenities throughout the day, including pools, workout equipment, and other services — even during Cooling Center hours.
The YMCA has long served as a trusted community hub, and during times of extreme weather, we are committed to being a resource for everyone — not just our members.
The Y’s hours in the West Seattle Triangle (3622 SW Snoqualmie) and Fauntleroy (9140 California SW) can be found here.
6:32 PM: Turned out to be record heat after all – new record for this date at the airport, 89 degrees. (Old record was 86.)
6:47 PM: Yet more downed trees on this windswept Tuesday.
Thanks to the reader who texted those photos from north of Westwood Village: “Trees down on 26th SW between SW Trenton and SW Henderson.”
7:38 PM: The photo above is from the 7100 block of Beach Drive; the texter says it’s been cleared so that cars can get through on that already-narrow stretch south of Lowman Beach.
More tree trouble on this blustery Tuesday. Thanks to “Commuter Paul” for the photo and report:
FYI: Tree down obstructing the path at the north end of 22nd SW at the merge onto the WS Bridge Trail.
Paul has reported it to SDOT (206-684-ROAD during weekday business hours, 206-386-1218 during off-hours, 911 when a road or path problem is a major life-safety risk).
11:05 AM: Thanks to Sarah for the photo and report:
=FYI, Lincoln Park north playground is cordoned off this morning. Looks like Parks folks are dealing with wind damage to a maple tree, I don’t see obvious damage to the play structure, so I think this is just to secure the area while they do work. But usually there are several families here so wanted to share!
(On a windy morning like this, it’s good to stay out of forested areas anyway, but nicer weather is on the way.) We have an inquiry out to Seattle Parks to see what thire plan is for addressing this, and will update here when we hear back.
1:59 PM: Just in, info from Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch:
Our Urban Forestry crew was working today on addressing an issue with a tree near the play area. The tree has mushrooms that can rot and impact the tree, so crews were working on proactively removing the mushrooms. The play area is open and was not impacted (nothing fell on the play area).
However, a branch did fall near the playfield, and the crew put caution tape around that area, and it will be cleaned up tomorrow.
The crew will also be back at the play area (probably tomorrow) to continue working on the tree with the mushroom/potential future rot issues. When the crew returns to complete this work, they will likely need to tape off a segment of the play area.
(WSB file photo – RainWise cisterns at Peace Lutheran Church)
Perhaps you’re listening to tonight’s rain coursing through a downspout and wondering if there’s something better to do with all that water than let it run into a side sewer or the street (eventually polluting local waterways). There might be, especially if you’re eligible for RainWise. The program offering subsidized features such as cisterns to store rainwater, or raingardens to filter it, is still going strong, and tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 9) is offering a short walking tour in West Seattle to show off possibilities and answer questions. It’s a free tour leaving from, and returning to, the northwest corner of AT Milo Park at 8402 30th SW (the long-ago Denny International Middle School site), 6 pm Tuesday. They’re requesting you RSVP by registering here.
Thanks for the photos of what was a vivid but short-lived burst of color during tonight’s sunset! Above, Steve Heck‘s view from The Kenney; below, how Curry Gibson saw it:
(added) Bob Burns sent this as seen from Alki:
Tonight’s official sunset time was 8:52 pm; the latest sunset time of the year will be 9:11 pm, starting June 22 and continuing for a week.
Thanks to Kathleen for the photo from Friday night. Hard as it is to believe after today’s beautiful sunshine, the forecast is still predicting rain and wind for the Memorial Day holiday. The National Weather Service says rain’s most likely in the pm, and that the wind could gust up to 23 mph, so batten down your barbecue …
8:35 AM: 2-vehicle collision reported southbound at 16th/Barton.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunny, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:55 am; sunset will be at 8:19 pm.
(Tuesday morning photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedules.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Now on “summer” schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedules Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route still on a two-boat schedule with a third, unscheduled boat, but was canceling some very early-am sailings today, so check WSF’s alert page for updates. That’s also where you’ll find a summary of fare changes starting Friday (May 1). And note work at the Fauntleroy dock this week could affect ferry users.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (25 mph speed limit):
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
The National Weather Service has our area under a Frost Advisory weather alert for tonight, suggesting the temperature could get down to freezing. However, the actual forecast is for a low in the 40s, and this morning’s low was 43, so you might not need to panic about your plants.
… some of your West Seattle neighbors did!
Above is a photo sent by Chris Frankovich; below, from Wyatt:
Today’s official high was 72 degrees, and tomorrow’s forecast to be at least a dozen degrees cooler, with the possibility of rain returning.
Thanks to Carrie Brown for the westward view of our Saturday night sunset. The high today hit 68 at the airport – eight degrees above normal – but nowhere near the record for this date, which was 89 degrees back in 2016. The forecast suggests two more days of partly sunny, almost-70-degree weather, before the chance of rain returns.
3:27 PM: Thanks to Mike for the tip. We’ve already had one round of “chunky rain” and the National Weather Service has an alert out for at least the next half-hour saying more could be headed this way: “Winds in excess of 30 mph and half-inch hail” are possible.
3:50 PM: Just got a bit more hail/graupel/ice pellets here in Upper Fauntleroy, but nothing close to a half-inch.
6:05 PM: The NWS confirms reports of a water-spout sighting off Magnolia during all this.
Thanks to Meagan for the initial picture and tip about that tree down across 18th and Holden on this breezy day. As we wrote this, we got another photo, from Erika, who says the tree is between Holden and Kenyon:
Meagan mentioned the tree taking down wires; no power outages mapped in the area so far.
| 0 COMMENTS