We’re pretty sure that the last time a tsunami hit the northwest coast of the U.S. was in 1964, shortly after a major earthquake struck Alaska; far as we know, it damaged some places on the Oregon coast, including Cannon Beach.
Saturday morning (Feb. 27th), imagine our surprise when we saw an “Advisory” posted in our Weather Widget in the right sidebar. Clicking on it revealed that yes, a “Tsunami Advisory” had been issued for the northern and central Washington coast after a huge, 8.8 quake hit Chile´.
We don’t think this is cause for panic in the Puget Sound region, but we wanted to share this info because, well, who knows – maybe a tsunami-based wave will hit the shorelines near Burien? Maybe not?
The advisory warns that, if indeed a tsunami wave makes it up the coast, takes a right turn through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, makes another right and heads down through the upper islands of Puget Sound…when (and if) it hits Pier 48 in Seattle it’s predicted to be .13 feet high, which, according to our rudimentary math skills, equals a measly 1.56 inches high.
According to this NOAA website, the predicted time for this wave to strike Seattle is 1641 PST – for us non-military types, that’s 4:41pm Saturday afternoon.
If you happen to have a video camera and a lot of free time this afternoon, why not hang out near one of Burien’s beaches around 4:30-5pm and see if you can videotape a 1.56 inch wave barreling in from the north? We’d love to post it – please email us if you do!
And if you know anyone who lives on the coast, or in Hawaii, please make sure they’re aware of this advisory, as it could be very serious in those areas.
According to the National Weather Service:
Persons in tsunami advisory areas should move out of the water… off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.
Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near water is imminent or expected. Significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas in an advisory. Tsunamis are a series of waves potentially dangerous several hours after initial arrival time. Estimated times of initial wave arrival for selected sites in the advisory are provided below.
Here’s the “Tsunami Advisory” language as posted at 9:18am:
Tsunami Advisory
Statement as of 9:18 AM PST on February 27, 2010
… A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the northern and central Washington coast…
A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the northern and central Washington coast.
There is no Tsunami Watch or warning in effect for the Washington coast. Repeat… there is no Tsunami Watch or warning in effect.
A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1034 PM PDT Friday near the central coast of chile. It has generated a tsunami wave… which is now spreading out across the Pacific Ocean.
The first tsunami waves are expected to reach the Washington coast between 250 PM and 310 PM PST this afternoon. The following are the
estimated arrival times of the first waves.
- Seaside or… … ..246 PM PST
- Westport WA… … .257 PM PST
- Neah Bay WA… … .307 PM PST
The largest tsunami waves are expected two hours after the first arrival.
The waves are not expected to be large enough to cause coastal flooding along the Washington coast. However… some coastal areas could experience dangerous currents and surges in harbors and bays. Forecast tsunami wave amplitudes follow.
- Long Beach WA… ..0.46 ft
- Westport… … … .0.78 ft
- Moclips… … … ..1.27 ft
- Neah Bay… … … .0.65 ft
- Port Angeles… … 0.33 ft
- Bellingham… … ..0.46 ft
- Everett… … … ..0.13 ft
- Seattle-pier 48… 0.13 ft
The minimum wave height for a tsunami advisory on the Washington coast is 6 inches or 15 centimeters.
The initial wave will not be the largest. Coastal residents are advised to stay out of the water… off the beach… and away from harbors and marinas. Wave heights and currents are amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to predict. The tsunami may not be visible among the common ocean surf… yet tide gages will likely report some fluctuations.
Mariners in water deeper than 600 feet should not be affected by a tsunami.
Repeat… no Tsunami Watch or warning is in effect for the northern and central Washington coast.
And just ‘cuz we found it and we love science, here’s a pretty cool simulation video of what might happen if a tsunami hit Elliott Bay:
UPDATE: 1:45pm PST: So far, no tsunami yet in Hawaii, but this type of rare event is considered and “inexact science.” Here’s a link to a website that’s broadcasting a live TV signal from Hawaii.
Also, here’s the live webcam feed from Burien’s Seahurst Park Beach, just in case; refresh this page to see the latest:
The National Weather Service issued an unusual Advisory Monday (Jan. 18th) – this one for a “minor tidal overflow” that will be in effect for Puget Sound Tuesday morning and possibly again Wednesday morning.
According to the report, “very high astronomical tides combined with lower than normal atmospheric pressures” as well as high winds may cause some flooding.
So, if you live near the shoreline and your street/yard/area has a tendency to flood, you might want to put out some sandbags just in case.
Here’s the actual advisory:
… Coastal Flood Advisory for minor tidal overflow is in effect for Puget Sound and the north interior from 5 am to 11 am PST Tuesday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a coastal Flood Advisory for minor tidal overflow from Puget Sound to the north interior… which is in effect from 5 am to 11 am PST Tuesday.
Minor tidal overflow may occur along some of the shorelines and nearby low-lying areas around Puget Sound and the north interior Tuesday morning… around the time of high tide. Minor tidal overflow is caused by very high astronomical tides combined with lower than normal atmospheric pressures. The Table below shows time of high tide for areas around Puget Sound… along with the normal tide table value and the expected total tide.
Time of tide table expected expected location high tide value anomaly total tide
- Seattle 7:30 am 12.2 ft 1.6 ft 13.8 ft
- Port Townsend 7:06 am 9.1 ft 1.8 ft 10.9 ft
- Bellingham 8:12 am 9.6 ft 1.9 ft 11.5 ft
Minor tidal overflow problems usually begin at 13.5 feet around Seattle and 11.5 feet around Bellingham… and the current forecasts for those areas just meet or exceed those levels. In addition… the atmospheric pressure could be a little lower than forecast… and local winds may cause water to pile up along shorelines more than expected… possibly higher than the expected total tide values. Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots are forecast over the northern inland waters Tuesday morning as another deep low pressure system moves northward offshore. Winds over the waters of Puget Sound are expected to be south 10 to 20 knots Tuesday morning.
Another very high astronomical tide will occur Wednesday morning. The forecast tides for Wednesday morning are slightly lower than for Tuesday… but computer model forecasts indicate the anomaly will still be large enough so that minor tidal overflow problems remain a possibility.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Minor tidal over flow can cause local flooding along shorelines and nearby low-lying areas.
Two advisories were released Friday (Dec. 4th) – by the National Weather Service and King County, warning of “Arctic air” moving in as well as the possibility of “slick driving conditions” this weekend as temps drop down into the low 30s and upper 20s.
Sadly for most school-aged children, no snow is in the forecast (sorry kids…).
First, the National Weather Service’s “Special Weather Statement” released at 4:46pm 12/4:
… Cold weather to continue into next week for western Washington…
A secondary and stronger surge of cold air will filter into western Washington late this weekend. Temperatures will continue to run well below normal into late next week as Arctic high pressure slides south in western Canada allowing modified Arctic air into the area. High temperatures will remain in the 30s through most of next week with low temperatures well below freezing.
Snow showers are possible Saturday night as an upper low passes over the region. No accumulations are expected… except perhaps light accumulations for the northern shores of the Olympic peninsula where an upslope component and moisture picked up over the northern interior waters may produce accumulating snows late Saturday night and Sunday morning. Windy conditions will develop Saturday evening through the first half of Sunday for the northern interior and Strait of Juan de Fuca as Fraser outflow increases.
And here’s King County’s warning on road conditions (link to the county’s road condition map here):
King County Road Alert Spotlight
The King County Road Services Division is alerting motorists of the possibility of slick driving conditions as temperatures cool and roads remain wet.
A brief rain shower that moved through parts of the county this afternoon may leave just enough moisture on some roadways to cause slick driving conditions tonight.
While many roads in unincorporated King County have been treated with anti-icing materials, motorists should still be on the lookout for icy stretches of roadway, especially in higher elevation areas and on bridges and overpasses.
If you are traveling tonight or early tomorrow morning, use extra caution and be prepared for winter driving.
And one more weather-related blurb to share, this one from noted Meteorologist Cliff Mass’ Blog on Thursday, Dec. 3rd
You have delicate plants…protect them. When the winds die down on Monday morning the temperatures could plummet on the western side into the teens in some locations. Maybe even colder Tuesday am. Good weather for plumbers–could have some frozen and bursting pipes.
And watch the action offshore! As the cold air moves over the relatively warm water there will developing cumulus activity…including showers. There will be lines of convection…should be impressive.
Monday and Tuesday will be cold and sunny. That’s far enough to forecast…but remember…sometimes the most interesting weather happens when a cold spell ends. I won’t even mention that unspeakable four letter word: S**W. Don’t even think about it.
The National Weather Service issued a “Wind Advisory” early Wednesday morning, so again, be sure to double-tie down your blue (and other colored) tarps Burien, as sustained winds of 20-30mph may be coming.
Here’s the advisory in all its weatherspeak glory:
… Wind Advisory in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 am PST Thursday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Wind Advisory… which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 am PST Thursday.
Southerly winds will increase today… peaking late this afternoon through the evening hours. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected with gusts to 40 to 50 mph… mainly this evening. The strongest winds are expected to occur over the north Hood Canal across to western Snohomish County… the entrances to the Strait and over the lower Chehalis valley.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph or gusts of 45 to 57 mph are likely. Winds this strong can snap small tree branches… topple small or shallow-rooted trees… and cause local power outages.
You know it’s November in the Northwest when another Weather Advisory gets posted – this one a “Wind Advisory” predicted to hit around 6pm Sunday night and continue for at least another 24 hours.
As usual, batten down your blue tarps Burien!
Here’s the statement, issued by the National Weather Service at 3:22pm Sunday, Nov. 15th:
Statement as of 3:22 PM PST on November 15, 2009
… Wind Advisory in effect from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM PST Monday…
… High wind watch in effect from Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Wind Advisory… which is in effect from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM PST Monday. A high wind watch has also been issued. This high wind watch is in effect from Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon.
South winds of 25 to 35 mph with local gusts to 50 mph are expected to develop tonight and continue through much of the day Tuesday.
A deeper low is expected to move north through the coastal waters late Monday night and Tuesday. Widespread damaging winds of 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are possible with this second deeper system.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph or gusts of 45 to 57 mph are likely. Winds this strong can snap small tree branches… topple small or shallow-rooted trees… and cause local power outages.
A high wind watch means conditions are favorable for damaging winds. High winds can topple trees… down power lines… and damage some structures. People in the watch area should prepare for the possibility of power outages.
The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” at 4:30pm Thursday (Nov. 12th), warning of a “vigorous cold front” hitting the area Friday morning, bringing rain, wind and snow to the mountains.
Could this be the first breath of ol’ man winter?
Here’s the statement:
… Active weather day expected Friday…
A vigorous cold front will pass southeast across western Washington Friday morning… bringing Rain… Mountain snows… locally windy conditions and possibly snow showers to parts of The Lowlands.
South winds in advance of the front will increase late tonight into early Friday morning… mainly along the coast and parts of the northwest interior including the Admiralty Inlet region. Wind speeds in those areas are expected to reach 20 to 30 mph with a few gusts to 45 mph… mainly in and around the Island County area. After the front passes… winds will become west to southwest down the Strait of Juan de Fuca and across the northwest interior before diminishing through the afternoon. While below Wind Advisory criteria… wind of this strength could blow down a few tree limbs here and there with isolated power outages.
Colder air will surge in behind the front and lower already low snow levels across the region. During the morning hours ahead of the front the snow level will be around 1500 to 2000 feet. The snow level will then gradually drop through the day to around 500 feet by evening. This means some of the highest hills around the region could see a few snow showers late Friday into Friday evening. However… outside of the mountains or the immediate Cascade foothills… little to no snow accumulation is expected.
Dry and tranquil weather will return to the region late Friday night into Saturday.
The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” Tuesday Nov. 3rd at 4:57pm, warning of “very strong” winds and rain hitting the area Thursday (Nov. 5th) with gusts possibly as high as 50mph.
Here’s the warning in all its glory:
Statement as of 4:57 PM PST on November 03, 2009
… Windy conditions for the mountains… coast… and northern interior Thursday…
A strong Pacific frontal system will impact western Washington on Thursday. Breezy southeasterly winds on Wednesday night will become south-southwest on Thursday for the north interior and coast increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gust as high as 50 mph.
Winds just above the surface will be very strong on Thursday. Ridgetop winds for the Olympics and lower south facing slopes will range from 45 to 65 mph with higher gusts possible. Ridgetop winds along the southern slopes of the Cascades will also be windy… with sustained winds up to 50 mph possible. The strong winds will also be accompanied by heavy rains… combining for dangerous conditions in the mountains.
So…considered yourself warned, and batten down the blue tarps hatches B-Town.
The National Weather Service has issued a “Special Weather Statement” alerting us all that, despite the recent sunny weather, the rain is a-comin’ back, starting Tuesday (Oct. 13th), so be sure to take heed an move all that crap in your yard and driveway back inside.
Or pull out the blue tarps so Burien can look like it should!
Here’s the statement, which was published at 4:44pm Sunday Oct. 11th:
Statement as of 4:44 PM PDT on October 11, 2009
… A series of Pacific storms will affect western Washington this week…
Columbus day will be a transition day from the recent cool and dry spell to an active… wet pattern. Look for a series of Pacific storms to affect the area starting Tuesday. The Tuesday system is expected to bring windy conditions to the coast and Cascade foothills as well as precipitation to the entire area. Chilly…east winds in the Cascade passes will mean that the precipitation will begin as snow or a rain and snow mix. However… significant snowfall amounts are unlikely.
Unsettled… wet conditions will persist on Wednesday as the region remains under the influence of a large area of low pressure over
the eastern Pacific. A much wetter system may affect the area during the latter part of the week.Monitor forecasts from the National Weather Service in Seattle for updates on these upcoming events.
(Photo by Michael Brunk)
The National Weather Service has released an “Excessive Heat Warning” along with an “Air Stagnation Advisory,” and while it may not be hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk (but if you do, email us a pic!), predictions are that the temps Wednesday and Thursday will hover around 100+, so be sure to stay cool, drink plenty of fluids and all the other common sense things one should do when it’s really hot.
Here’s the warning/advisory from the bigshot professional weatherpeeps:
Excessive Heat Warning, Air Stagnation Advisory
Statement as of 4:30 AM PDT on July 29, 2009… Excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday…
… Air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday…An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday. An air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM PDT Friday.
Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue through Thursday. High temperatures from the upper 80s to 105 will be accompanied by rather humid conditions and only light breezes. Temperatures at night will remain quite warm… falling only into the 60s for a couple hours late at night in most places.
Record high temperatures will be widespread… and SeaTac Airport will likely tie or break its all time record high temperature of 100 degrees. While today is expected to be the hottest day overall… Thursday will be only a degree or two cooler in most locations.
Friday will be somewhat cooler as the low level flow turns onshore … but temperatures in the western Washington interior will still be well above normal with many spots in the upper 80s to mid 90s.
In addition… the stable air mass will limit dispersion of ozone pollutants and air quality will deteriorate.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids… stay in an air-conditioned room… stay out of the sun…and check up on relatives and neighbors.
If you are concerned about the buildup of pollutants… check with your local air quality agency for further information.
If you need ideas on how to stay cool during this weather, here’s some previous stories we’ve posted:
- Need To Cool Down? Run Through Sprinklers At Lake Burien
- School Park Twice A Day!
- Where To Cool Down During “Hotpocalypse ‘09″
- Tips To Stay Cool During “Hotpocalypse ‘09″
- ADVISORY: Heat Wave Coming Over Next Several Days
And if you need a visual to focus on as you meditate your way to coolness, here ya go:
The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” late Thursday afternoon (July 23rd) warning about a heat wave that will begin this weekend and last into next week, with projected highs in the 85-95 degree range.
Here’s the official warning:
… Hot weather beginning this weekend and lasting into next week…
The hottest weather of the year is likely to occur this weekend and early next week. High temperatures will be in the 85 to 95 range. Overnight lows will be in the 60s. All areas of western Washington could be affected.
The first really hot day will be Saturday or Sunday. The hottest days look like Sunday through Tuesday. At this time models predict the hot weather could last into Thursday or beyond.
Unlike many previous hot spells… this one could also affect the coast and other places near the water. Also it is rare to have many hot days in a row in western Washington… but this heat wave could last several days.
Western Washington is having a dry Summer… and no rain is in the forecast for the next week or so. Fire danger will increase during the hot weather. There is also a risk of air stagnation during this period.
The National Weather Service will issue more statements about this event over the coming days.
And according to meteorologist Cliff Mass:
“I took a look at the long-range forecasts and was shocked.
The temperature climbs through the weekend…into the lower 90s on Sunday and mid 90s at least on Monday and Tuesday.
Too far out to be sure now….but be ready for real heat.”
BTW, Cliff also adds that:
“2009 is the driest 20 May-19 Jul period on record using the combined SeaTac/downtown observations”
So…have a great weekend, but stay cool, slathered up, and be sure to check in on elderly neighbors/relatives and drink plenty of water!
The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” Sunday afternoon about a strong, windy weather system that’s predicted to hit the area Monday night.
We’re no Cliff Mass, but one thing that struck us was the mention of the pressure in this storm, rated at 980 millibars. As comparison, Hurricane Katrina was rated at 920 mb (lower is stronger), and the Inauguration Day storm of 1993 was rated between 972-980 mb (for a great read on northwest storm systems, with info on pressures, click here).
While it’s a powerful system, since the storm will weaken as it pushes inland, wind speeds are predicted to be between 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 45. There could be downed trees and power outages though, so you may want to batten down all those flowers you worked on Sunday.
Here’s the statement:
Statement as of 3:51 PM PDT on May 03, 2009
… Very windy conditions are expected to develop in the western Washington lowlands Monday night and continue through Tuesday morning…
A developing storm system in the central Pacific is expected to deepen to around 980 mb as it moves through the Washington offshore waters toward northern Vancouver Island Monday and Monday night. A strong frontal system associated with this low will move through western Washington Monday night.
A storm and frontal system of this magnitude is more typical of late fall or winter than of early may.
At this point it appears that south winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph will develop Monday night as the front moves through and continue through the early morning hours on Tuesday. Many deciduous trees are now leafing. So winds of this magnitude may break some large branches and possibly topple a few trees.
Local power outages are possible.
As if our wild and wacky winter wasn’t enough, here comes a new “Special Weather Statement” from the National Weather Service that may just freeze your weekend gardening plans – in a nutshell, it’s gonna be COLD, so protect your plants (we suggest wrapping each one individually in a Snuggie Blanket with Sleeves:
Statement as of 4:40 AM PDT on April 03, 2009
… Record lows possible Saturday morning… Wet start to April…
The cold weather in March has extended into the first few days of April for western Washington. An upper level ridge will begin building over the area later today and tonight. With the ridge building skies will clear out across western Washington overnight into Saturday morning. A very cool air mass will still be in place over the area and with the clearing skies low temperatures Saturday morning could drop to below freezing in some locations with some record breaking lows possible.
The record low for Seattle is 31 degrees set in 1948. The record for Olympia is 26 degrees set in 2001.
The best chances for below freezing temperatures will be in the southwest interior.
Persons who may already have sensitive plants in the ground will want to take preventive measures to protect the plants.
In Seattle… record rainfall has been recorded at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on both the first and the second of the month. Total rainfall for the first two days of the month was 1.31 inches which is over half the monthly normal rainfall total of 2.59 inches. The only time in Seattle weather records that more rain has been recorded on the first two days of April was back in 1915 when 1.87 inches of rain was recorded. Records go back to 1891.
Yes, it’s snowing lightly in Burien with temps in the low 30s, but as of 7am Monday morning there are no reported school delays or closures.
Here’s the latest forecast from the National Weather Service – up to an inch of snow is possible:
Today: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming north northwest between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northwest wind between 9 and 13 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
According to the National Weather Service, we may be on the receiving end of some very cold temps and yes, maybe even snow in the Burien area over the next 24 hours, and the latest statement indicates potential precipitation in the afternoon/early evening:
Statement as of 4:59 PM PDT on March 08, 2009
…Another chance for lowland snow Monday followed by cold temperatures…
An Arctic front will slide out of the Fraser valley Monday morning… pushing south during the day. The front will drop up to a quick inch of snow as it pushes south through the northern interior Monday morning. It will likely reach the Seattle Metro area around noontime… where it will start to converge with slightly more moist air. As the front pushes into the Puget southern sound and southwest interior in the afternoon… there will be the potential for a couple of inches of snowfall.
Snow showers will come to an end from north to south on Monday… lingering into Monday evening for southern sections. Drier and colder air will quickly settle over western Washington Monday night.
Due to the Arctic origins of this airmass… record or near-record low temperatures are forecast for Monday and Tuesday night.
Temperatures will slowly moderate as the week progresses.
We’re certainly having a lively winter, and even though Spring is scheduled to start in just two weeks (March 20th), there’s a chance of snow in the forecast for Saturday night!
Here’s the statement from the National Weather Service:
Statement as of 5:36 AM PST on March 06, 2009
… Snow showers possible across The Lowlands this weekend…
A strong cold front will pass through western Washington on Saturday bringing cool and unstable conditions to the region. Onshore flow will increase behind the cold front with showers expected Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Snow levels will remain quite low…near sea level with rain possibly mixing with snow in heavier showers. Snowfall accumulations will be spotty with up to 1 inch of snow possible from stronger showers. Locally heavier amount may be found across the higher hills of King and Snohomish counties as a Puget Sound convergence zone develops Saturday afternoon through early Sunday. Heavy snow is also expected across the western slopes of the north and central Cascades.
Cool and showery weather will persist into early next week with temperatures remaining below normal. Low temperatures will be in the mid 20s to lower 30s with afternoon highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s.
Be sure to check in with The B-Town Blog if anything exciting happens, and/or email us your snow photos!
The National Weather Service issued the following Advisory Wed. morning about potential snow showers coming tonight/Thursday:
Statement as of 4:21 AM PST on February 25, 2009
… Local snow showers are expected over the western Washington lowlands late tonight and Thursday…
A cooler air mass will move into western Washington tonight… and it will be cold enough for showers to fall locally as snow or rain and snow mixed across the western Washington lowlands late tonight and Thursday.
Widespread snow accumulations are not expected… and high temperatures Thursday will reach the lower to mid 40s. However spotty accumulations of 1 or 2 inches are possible mainly in the northwest interior… along Hood Canal… and in the southwest interior late tonight or Thursday morning.
So be prepared…ol’ man winter might be making one final appearance!
More info/links:
Late Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued an “Air Stagnation Advisory,” which basically declares a burn ban – so even though it’s cold outside, don’t you dare start a fire in the fireplace!
Here’s the advisory:
…Air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 10 PM PST Tuesday…
Stagnant conditions will return overnight as winds across most of the interior lowlands of western Washington become light. A strong temperature inversion remains over most of western Washington tonight that is limiting mixing and is trapping stagnant air near the surface. The exception is the east Puget Sound lowlands where gusty east winds will maintain good mixing and ventilation. The stagnant conditions are expected to last into Tuesday night.
People in western Washington should be aware that bans on outdoor burning are possible. Be sure to check with your local pollution control agency. In the Seattle area you can contact the Puget Sound clean air agency or visit their website at www.Pscleanair.Org.
Precautionary/preparedness actions… do not burn trash and be aware of local regulations for burning. People with respiratory difficulties such as asthma may find that strenuous exercise outdoors in this increasingly stagnant air mass may worsen the condition.
According to Pscleanair.Org, here are the restrictions under a Stage 1 burn ban:
- No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. 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.;
- Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.
- No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.
- All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas. Burning of storm and flood damage debris is also prohibited. The Clean Air Agency encourages people to take advantage of free flood-debris disposal coordinated by their county.
- Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
You can monitor air quality here: http://www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqi.aspx, including when the burn ban may be lifted.
Underneath these dinghys and picnic table lies a physical, wooden dock that is usually above the waterline of Lake Burien, but Thursday is partially submerged due to the record rainfalls. Photo by Cynthia Reid.
According to the National Weather Service, a record amount of rainfall fell at Sea-Tac Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 7th – 2.29 inches!
This kicks the butt of the lame old record, which was a paltry 1.33 inches, set in 1996.
We’re going into a slight dry spell now, with just an 80% chance of rain Thursday, with more clearing on Friday.
However, the massive amounts of moisture that fell are now either overflowing rivers and streams, or overflowing the soil, and the danger for landslides is still high; here’s a list of signs to look for if you live in a known slide area (courtesy the USGS website)
- Springs, seeps, or saturated ground in areas that have not typically been wet before.
- New cracks or unusual bulges in the ground, street pavements or sidewalks.
- Soil moving away from foundations.
- Ancillary structures such as decks and patios tilting and/or moving relative to the main house.
- Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations.
- Broken water lines and other underground utilities.
- Leaning telephone poles, trees, retaining walls or fences.
- Offset fence lines.
- Sunken or down-dropped road beds.
- Rapid increase in creek water levels, possibly accompanied by increased turbidity (soil content).
- Sudden decrease in creek water levels though rain is still falling or just recently stopped.
- Sticking doors and windows, and visible open spaces indicating jambs and frames out of plumb.
- A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears.
- Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris.
Also, the Cedar River in Renton was above its “flood stage” at 15.8 feet Thursday morning; flood stage is 12.0 feet. A Flood Warning remains in effect for it until Saturday evening, and its expected that the Cedar will crest around 16.4 feet at Noon Friday, flooding areas of Renton, including the airport.
Just when you thought that 2008 couldn’t get any worse as far as winter weather goes comes this new Advisory about another “strong storm” that could blow away your New Year’s Eve hangover this Thursday and Friday:
… Another strong storm could potentially bring windy weather to parts of western Washington Thursday through Friday…
A strong storm system is expected to arrive in two parts Thursday and Thursday night bringing a threat of heavy Rain… Mountain snow… and possibly high winds to parts of western Washington. National Weather Service computer models continue to indicate a high degree of uncertainty regarding the strength and track of the incoming weather system. Latest models have trended toward a weaker surface low tracking into the far south or central Washington coast… and due eastward across the south or central sound. At this time it appears a southern track is more likely… putting the area at greatest risk of high winds over Oregon and extreme southern Washington. The rest of Washington would experience breezy to locally windy conditions at times… especially across the Washington coast south of Aberdeen. If the system tracks slightly further north… high winds could be experienced south of a line from near Kalaloch along the central Washington coast to Tacoma. South winds in this less likely scenario could reach 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
Snow will be heavy at times in parts of the Cascades Thursday through Friday resulting in difficult travel conditions and a high avalanche danger. Refer to the latest winter storm and avalanche statements for details.
River flooding across the far southern lower elevation basins is also possible. It appears the skokomish and Chehalis river are at greatest risk of flooding. There could also be areas of urban and small stream flooding affecting the Metro corridor… especially from Everett southward… where the highest rainfall amounts are expected. Refer the latest flood statements for details in the event watches or warnings are issued.
This is a rapidly evolving and complex storm system. A lot of uncertainty still exists so current forecasts should be monitored closely. For more information listen to NOAA Weather Radio or visit www.Weather.Gov/Seattle for the latest statements regarding this storm. People planning travel across the Cascade passes should be prepared for hazardous driving conditions at times through Friday.
Apparently two – count ‘em – two major storms are moving into the Northwest overnight and tomorrow, and here’s the latest “Wind Advisory” from the National Weather Service, which is predicting gusts up to 50mph:
A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 am PST Wednesday.
A strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the Washington coast late this evening and across the interior after midnight. South winds will increase to 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph this evening… .then shift to southwest and slowly decrease by Wednesday morning. Expect the strongest winds over the east Strait to occur behind the front after midnight… where southwesterly winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph are expected.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph or gusts of 45 to 57 mph are likely. Winds this strong can snap small tree branches… topple small or shallow rooted trees… and cause local power outages.
And what goes better with a major “Wind Advisory” than a warning from Seattle City Light with the UPPERCASE words: “CITY LIGHT RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS GET READY” in the title? Notice how they didn’t toss this out Monday morning before we received those surprising, sudden 40+mph gusts:
National Weather Service forecasting gale force winds
SEATTLE – Seattle City Light is preparing its crews for a series of winter wind storms heading our way today through Friday. The storms are expected to bring rain and strong winds to the Puget Sound area through the weekend.
“Living in the Pacific Northwest means you need to be ready for winter storms,” City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco said. “Our crews are ready so that if this storm causes any outages, we can restore power as quickly as possible. We have been busy throughout the year clearing tree branches from more than 300 line miles of power lines. Even so, we want our customers to be ready in the event an outage.”
The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Advisory today with a forecast for wind gusts up to 35 mph this evening. A storm with more intense winds is predicted to hit our area on New Years day.
City Light has crews ready to respond and the supplies that may be needed should there be a significant wind event. “We’ve asked the Call Center to remain open tonight,” says Chris Heimgartner, Energy Delivery and Customer Care Officer for City Light. “We are prepared for the possibility of outages occurring throughout our service territory and we can have back-up help available to us quickly if there is significant wind damage. Our main concern is the saturated ground from the snow and rain. Similar to 2006, this can bring down whole trees onto power lines.” City Light has written agreements with other utilities in the region and throughout the West to send back-up crews should the outages and damage be widespread.
If a large-scale storm event occurs, residents should be ready with emergency supplies for at least three days. Items to include are a hand-crank or battery-operated flashlight and radio, fresh batteries, a survival blanket, a first aid kit, pocket tissues and hand sanitizer wipes.
City Light reminds customers to be safe. Downed lines can be dangerous. Also, City Light urges customers to be prepared for any possible outages. Here’s what customers can do if they experience a power outage:
- Do not get within 10’ of any downed wire. Wires should always be assumed to be “live” and dangerous. If someone seeks a downed wire, they should call (206) 706-0051;
- Do not use a barbecue grill or generator inside the house or in a garage that is attached to the house. Do not use a grill or generator near a home air intake vent or near windows;
- Do not use fossil fuel burning auxiliary heating sources;
- Have an emergency power outage kit available and well-stocked. There should be sufficient supplies to last three days for every family member and family pets. Make sure all batteries are fresh. To find out what to put into a kit, go to www.takewinterbystorm.org;
- Know how to manually override electric garage doors, security doors and gates;
- Have a land line phone or fully charged cell phone available – cordless phones won’t work when the power is out;
- Unplug electrical appliances if the power goes out so that when the power comes back on, there won’t be a surge that could damage sensitive electronic equipment;
- Use battery-powered flashlights – not candles or oil lamps;
- Close doors, windows, curtains, and unused fireplace dampers to retain heat if there is an outage;
So…are you ready this time?
Personally, we think this new “Wind Advisory” should’ve been issued Monday around 11:30am (when gusts hit 43mph at Sea-Tac Airport) but we’ll take what we can get, right?
And what we’ll get is wind. Lots of wind. Which means…potential power outages, so be prepared folks.
And now, here’s the latest Weather/Wind Advisory from the National Weather Service:
… Wind Advisory in effect for the interior lowlands from 6 PM this evening to 7 am PST Wednesday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Wind Advisory… which is in effect from 6 PM this evening to 7 am PST Wednesday.
A strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the Washington coast around midnight tonight and inland by early Wednesday morning. The strongest winds across most inland areas will occur ahead of the front… with southerly 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph possible. Expect the strongest winds over the east Strait to occur with the front after midnight… where southwesterly winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph are possible.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph or gusts of 45 to 57 mph are likely. Winds this strong can snap small tree branches… topple small or shallow-rooted trees… and cause local power outages.
3:30pm 12/23/08 UPDATE: As of 3pm, the National Weather Service released this Winter Storm Advisory – 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected Wed. Dec. 24th, with a transition to rain also:
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 4 am PST Thursday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 4 am PST Thursday. This upgrades the Winter Storm Watch which had been in effect.
Snow is expected to begin after midnight tonight and continue through Wednesday morning. The snow will be light at first but then increase its intensity on Wednesday morning. Late on Wednesday morning or early in the afternoon… locations below 500 to 1000 feet will transition to a cold rain… while higher hills continue with snow through Wednesday afternoon.
Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected. Significantly higher amounts are possible on hills above 500 to 1000 feet or anywhere that precipitation might continue as snow through the afternoon and evening.
Snow showers could bring additional accumulations on Christmas day.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while driving.
Also, this update about garbage collection in Normandy Park:
Garbage Collection
Allied Waste has not been able to collect residential garbage and recycling due to road conditions. City staff and Allied Waste have arranged for residential drop off services at two locations in Normandy Park.Residential customers will have access to collection vehicles/containers for residential garbage and recyclables on Wednesday, December 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the locations below:
City Hall Parking Lot – 801 S.W. 174th Street
and
Marvista Park Parking Lot – 19900 4th Avenue S.W.
Regular collection services will resume when road conditions improve and collection vehicles are able to safely operate on residential streets.
11:15am 12/23/08 UPDATE: Looks like another snow storm is coming tonight (Tues. 12/23), with up to six more inches of snow predicted to fall overnight.
Perhaps we will indeed have a “White Christmas” after all?
AREA UPDATES:
- City Hall and the Parks office will be open today until 2pm.
- Burien Parks and Recreation programs are cancelled for today.
- No garbage/recycling pickup today (more details here).
- Road crews continue to plow and sand streets starting with main arterials and moving to secondary streets when they are able. More details about priority routes can be found on our Snow & Ice Routes Map [PDF]. Please drive with extreme caution and only if necessary.
WEATHER UPDATE:
Here’s the latest Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service:
… Winter Storm Watch in effect from late tonight through Wednesday evening…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Watch… which is in effect from late tonight through Wednesday evening.
Another low pressure system is expected to drop southeast into the Pacific northwest late tonight into Wednesday. A relatively cold air mass will be in place ahead of this system. With the cold air in place… up to another six inches of new snow is possible by Wednesday evening with the snow beginning sometime late tonight. As the system moves through… the low level wind flow will become southwesterly. This should warm up the air mass enough to change the precipitation from snow to rain. This transition is expected to occur Wednesday afternoon but there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the timing of this transition if it even occurs at all.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe winter weather. If you must travel in the watch area… carry an extra flashlight… food… water… and blankets in case of emergency.
Live webcam view from Sea-Tac Airport.
Refresh page to get latest image.
Also, according to the Port of Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport’s stranded travelers are starting to clear out, which must be a relief for everyone who got stuck there.
A local tech Writer named John Cook got stranded at Sea-Tac for seven hours, and here’s a snippet from his blog:
Seven hours.
That’s how long my fellow passengers and I spent waiting on the airport tarmac Sunday as an uncharacteristic winter blast brought SeaTac airport to a grinding halt.
Here’s a link to his interesting first-hand account.
And here’s an update from the Port on the current airport conditions:
The airport is open and the runways are clear for operations. The situation is improving, but there are still flight cancellations and delays. Please check with your airline before starting for the airport. You can also check your flight status online (http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/FlightInfo.aspx) on the Port’s Web site or via text messaging.
If your scheduled flight is canceled, rebook travel over the Internet or over the phone; do not come to the airport. Long lines at the ticket counters make it more efficient and quicker to rebook off-site.
If a scheduled flight is planned to depart, allow extra travel time to the airport to accommodate challenging regional road conditions and lines at ticket counters and security checkpoints. Plan to arrive at the airport two hours before departure time. It’s a good idea to bring necessary items (diapers, snacks, etc.) in case there are delays and/or long wait times. Airport concessions are open, stocked and prepared to serve.
The airport is continuing to provide volunteer staff in the terminal to assist passengers, answer questions, and assist with line control / crowd control issues.
5:30pm 12/21 UPDATE: Snow’s still falling, and by our estimations a grand total of 7-1/2 inches are on the ground now near our home office. That means that an additional 2-1/2 to 3 inches fell since yesterday afternoon, including a hard layer of ice that’s now under about 1-2 inches of snow.
And get this – some are predicting an additional 5-8 inches overnight!
Also, due to this event, Alaska Airlines has canceled all Alaska and Horizon airlines flights into and out of both Seattle and Portland. More info at the Port of Seattle’s airport website here.
Here are some selected weather warning snippets, as well as the latest Winter Storm Warning:
TONIGHT: Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 28F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 2 to 4 inches.
MONDAY: Intermittent snow showers, especially early. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
… Winter Storm Warning in effect until 4 am PST Monday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Warning… which is in effect until 4 am PST Monday. The Winter Weather Advisory is no longer in effect.
An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected through tonight in the Puget Sound lowlands and the lower Chehalis valley. A few isolated locations could receive as much as 8 inches. Snowfall amounts will be variable from location to location.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means significant snowfall is occurring or imminent. Snowfall intensities will be heavy enough to reduce visibilities to near zero at times.
Here’s an earlier update from the City of Burien:
No major power outages overnight in Burien
City staff continue to monitor weather conditions. Please check back for weather related closures and information. The weather forecast still calls for more snow, ice and cold temperatures. Go to www.weather.gov/seattle for updated forecasts and weather warnings.Road crews have plowed and sanded most of the main arterials and are working on the secondaries. More details about priority routes can be found on our Snow & Ice Routes Map [PDF].
Metro Bus Service:
Once again due to the weather and dangerous driving conditions, King County Metro Transit will be operating approximately half of its normal bus service for Sunday, Dec. 21 and will run three Seahawks shuttles.Information about bus status is available on Metro’s Ice & Snow page, which is updated frequently. You can also call the Metro Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000, but call volumes are high and there may be a wait to talk to a CIO representative. Please drive with extreme caution and only if necessary.
PREVIOUSLY:
Just when you thought Ol’ Man Winter was done introducing his bad self to Brrrien comes this news from the National Weather Service – 2-4 more inches of snow are due to hit the area today:
The Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect until 4 am PST Monday.
After a brief break in precipitation through midday…moderate to occasionally heavy snow showers will move across western Washington with an incoming frontal system. New snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are likely in the interior lowlands between this afternoon and midnight tonight while heavier 6 to 9 inch accumulations are likely in the mountains. In the mountains east winds gusting to 30 mph will produce some drifting and blowing of the snow.
Snow shower activity will taper off from the north around midnight tonight.
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and use caution while driving.
We often glance out the window and check for snow by looking up at the street light in front of our house to see if there are still flakes falling.
Imagine our surprise when we looked up around 10pm Saturday night (Dec. 20th) to see this – icicles forming on the actual street light itself:
Here’s the latest National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning:
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 am PST Sunday.
Periods of snow will continue across the area overnight. Storm total snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches are likely… with lesser amounts along the I-5 corridor from Tacoma northward. Localized gusty winds will also result in some blowing snow.
The snow has changed over to freezing rain on the central coast and will probably change over to sleet or freezing rain over the southwest interior… including the lower Chehalis valley… later tonight or Sunday morning. Elsewhere snow will continue through Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service issued another winter storm watch Monday at 3:28pm, and this one looks like it could dump some real, heavy snow – 3-6 inches by Wednesday night!
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Watch…which is in effect from late Tuesday night through late Wednesday night.
Heavy snow is likely over western Washington on Wednesday. Three to six inches are possible in certain areas… including the east Puget Sound lowlands… the northwest and southwest interiors… and the Strait of Juan de Fuca area. Snow in these areas will begin in the north late Tuesday night and spread south Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday night three to six inches of new snow are possible.
Other areas… including the Seattle metropolitan area and the Kitsap peninsula… could get less snow. Here models show one or two inches are possible. On the coast it is possible that conditions will be warm enough for rain part of the time… or mixed rain and snow. However it is not certain that sub-warning amounts will fall in these areas and the Winter Storm Watch extends to them as well.
The Cascades and Olympics will also receive heavy snow… with one or two feet of new snow likely.
Snow levels will be at sea level through much of the event so virtually all of the precipitation will be in the form of snow.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Monitor weather forecasts. If you have to travel…Tuesday is likely to be a much better day than Wednesday.
So let me get this straight – last weekend the temp hit 75 or so, and this coming weekend it may…gulp…SNOW???
Or at least freeze all the spring blooms?
What’s going on?
Is this some kind of Earth Day practical joke?
From the National Weather Service, updated 10:21 AM PDT April 16, 2008:
Unusually cold weather is expected Friday through early next week…
A deep upper level low pressure system moving southeast from the Gulf of Alaska will move into the area Friday and will linger through early next week. This upper level low will give quite cool and unstable conditions to the area Friday and Saturday. While drier air will begin to filter into the area Sunday into Monday… temperatures will remain unusually cool for mid to late April.
At this time of year… temperatures in The Lowlands typically range from lows 35 to 45… and highs are near 60. Low temperatures on Friday and Saturday will generally be in the 30s… while highs stay in the 40s. These temperatures are more typical of early to mid February. Near record low maximum and minimum temperatures are likely on Saturday. Temperatures in the mountains will stay in the 20s and 30s.
Snow levels Friday night and Saturday morning will average around 1000 feet… and may fall to near sea level in heavier showers. Any snow that falls in The Lowlands is unlikely to stick… except briefly on cars and grass. The mountains and Cascade passes will see accumulating snow Friday through Saturday… with accumulations over the two day period possibly between 1 and 2 feet.
Strong high pressure developing over British Columbia Saturday night into early next week will allow drier air to filter into the area. While daytime temperatures will moderate into the lower tomid 50s Sunday and Monday… nighttime lows will be quite cold for this time of year with any clearing. Frost… with freezing nighttime temperatures in protected and outlying areas will likely cause problems for anyone with sensitive Nursery stock…ornamentals…or vegetables that were planted early.
Monitor the forecasts from the National Weather Service closely the next few days.
