Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts

WeatherWatcher: Wind Advisory in effect

Friday, November 10, 2023

Windborne water spray at Richmond Beach
Photo by Wayne Pridemore 2017

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a wind advisory for the greater Seattle area which includes the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The wind advisory is in effect until 7am PST Saturday. 

Southeast winds are expected to gust up to around 35-45mph with some gusts up to 50mph possible. Strongest winds are expected sometime after midnight and will likely start to taper off around 6am. 

The advisory has been issued as these winds are strong enough to bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages. Winds this strong can also blow around any unsecured objects.

As of this writing my Richmond Beach neighborhood station has already recorded a gust of 33mph at 9:17pm. So far, we have been spared rainfall but that is expected to change overnight with up to around a half inch of rain by Saturday afternoon.


For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com


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Studded tires legal for use starting November 1, 2023

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Studded tire at Les Schwab
Photo by John Boril
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, studded tires are legal for use in Washington state, but by law, they must be removed by March 31. 

Studded tires do not meet a posted chain requirement, and drivers still need to install chains over studded tires to proceed in areas posted for chains.

Studded tires cause between $20 million and $29 million in pavement damage to state-owned asphalt and concrete roadways each year and WSDOT encourages you to visit a tire dealer to learn about options, including stud-free, winter tread traction tires.


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Eclipse photos from Steve Schneider

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Photo copyright Steve Schneider

Photo copyright Steve Schneider

Photo copyright Steve Schneider

I wasn't sure if there would be any local photos of the eclipse, considering our cloud cover, so I was delighted to see this photos from Shoreline resident Steve Schneider in my in box.

--Diane Hettrick


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A brief moment of sun produced a rainbow

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Drizzle, rain, pounding rain, drizzle, -- wait! sun! - oh now it's gone.

But Lee Lageschulte had her camera at hand to capture the rainbow.



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Yes, it rained today

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte
and about time, too!



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Scene on the Sound: A fogbound Friday morning

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Ferry in the Fog
Photo by Gay Armsden

Lake Forest Park resident Gay Armsden snapped this iphone pic Friday at the Kingston terminal of an Edmonds-bound ferry heading into pea soup fog.

"My trip across was completely fogbound! No view whatsoever until we were about to dock at Edmonds."

Fog on Friday
Photo by Lee Wolfe

From Richmond Beach, Lee Wolfe reported that "Puget Sound was blanketed under a stubborn cloud Friday. The foghorn symphony played from early morning through early afternoon."



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WeatherWatcher: Thunderstorms and rain in the forecast

Monday, August 28, 2023

Lightning in Richmond Beach
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Tuesday morning is expected to arrive with scattered thunderstorms and rain showers over the region. For the more exciting news, we are going to have a week of cool weather, cloudy skies, and rain at times. We could end next weekend with over an inch of rainfall.

Our gray and gloomy Monday was the result of a strong onshore marine air push, bringing in a shallow layer of clouds over the lowlands. Sunshine could be found at about 1,500 feet up any mountain in the area.

The Tuesday morning showers are expected to bring a little less than a tenth of an inch of rain, but higher amounts are possible from thunderstorm activity. Tuesday afternoon the shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to become more scattered and isolated with highs topping out in the 60's.

Wednesday is expected to be a mostly cloudy day, with temperatures near 70°F. A new rainmaker weather system arrives Wednesday night into Thursday. This system is expected to bring us a day of steady rain on Thursday with temperatures in the 60's. 

Friday through the weekend: A chance of showers remains in play off and on through the end of the weekend, with partly sunny skies at times, and temperatures around the mid 70's during the day. Saturday could feel extra muggy with highs near 80°F and rain showers in the mix. At those temperatures I can't rule out the possibility of another round of thunderstorms.
 

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


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WeatherWatcher: Heat Advisory in effect from noon Saturday until 8pm PDT Sunday

Saturday, August 26, 2023

 
Smoky sunset from Richmond Beach July 4, 2023
Photo by Carl Dinse

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from noon Saturday until 8pm PDT Sunday.  

From the National Weather Service:
  • What: Hot conditions with temperatures of 85 to 95 degrees expected away from the water. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
  • Where: Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
  • When: From noon Saturday to 8pm PDT Sunday.
  • Impacts: Heat will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.  
  • Additional Details: When heat and poor air quality occur at the same time, use air conditioning and air filtration if possible. If you do not have access to air conditioning, it may not be safe to stay inside with doors and windows closed when it's hot outside. When heat and poor air quality occur at the same time, cooling should be prioritized. 
Forecast: For the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas, we are expecting high temperatures to reach the mid 80's both Saturday and Sunday. We are also expecting hazy and smoky conditions both days from mainly Canadian wildfires. Lows will be in the upper 50's to low 60's in the evenings.

Smoke is expected to degrade air quality to levels not quite as bad as last weekend but will make it at least to the unhealthy range for sensitive groups. If the thunderstorms that moved through the mountains and across the Olympia and Tacoma areas sparked any new fires, we could see more smoke than currently expected.
Air Quality at the Lake Forest Park Town Center
Data and graph from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

On-shore breeze is expected to kick in Sunday afternoon and evening, helping to clear the smoke out of the region going into Monday.

We have more chances of showers and thundershowers next week around Tuesday through Thursday. 

We'll have to keep a watch on the forecast to see what could develop.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


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Coping with heat

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Go for a walk in Hamlin Park
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Information on what to do and where to go to stay cool here

Excessive Heat Advisory in Effect to 11:00pm Wednesday August 16, 2023

Public locations, such as the Hangar at Town Square in Kenmore, Town Center at Lake Forest Park, public libraries, and senior centers are open and can provide an air-conditioned break from the heat. 

For those experiencing homelessness and looking to get out of the heat, King County Regional Homeless Authority has identified locations to assist

King County Metro riders can find heat-related information and how to stay cool and safe on Metro during the heat. 

NEVER leave pets or children in a hot car. Call 9-1-1 if you see a child or pet in a hot car (unless it's a Tesla).

Tips for coping with hot weather:
  • Drink plenty of fluids, 
  • Keep out of the sun as much as possible, 
  • Check up on relatives and neighbors. 
  • Take extra precautions when working outside, 
  • Schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or evening
  • Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, 
  • Take frequent breaks in the shade or air-conditioned environments. 

Anyone who feels overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded location. If the person is experiencing signs of heat stroke, it is an emergency, and you should call 911.

Along with this heat advisory, remember the threat created by cold water temperatures and fast-moving rivers this time of year. If you plan to use natural bodies of water to cool down, please be especially cautious.

For further information on how to stay cool and safe, visit the Public Health Seattle and King County Hot Weather Preparedness page,


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WeatherWatcher: Excessive Heat Warning in effect until 11pm PDT Wednesday night

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Sunny day at Richmond Beach, Shoreline.
Photo by Carl Dinse
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Excessive Heat Warning for the greater Seattle area including the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

From the National Weather Service:
  • What: Dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 90s and lows in the 60s and 70s expected. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.
  • Where: Bellevue and Vicinity and Seattle and Vicinity. 
  • When: Until 11 PM PDT Wednesday. 
  • Impacts: Major Heat Risk level poses a major risk for heat- related illnesses for anyone without effective cooling or adequate hydration.  

Forecast: We will be in a heatwave through the end of the week, the worst of it though is expected Tuesday and Wednesday. High temperatures could get into the low to mid 90's both days. What is going to make us uncomfortable are the nighttime lows, in the 70's and upper 60's.

Once we get through Wednesday, things will start a slow trend into a cooler pattern. Thursday and Friday highs are expected to come down into the low to mid 80's. 

Then, Saturday and Sunday we cool down enough to keep high temperatures in the 70's. By the weekend our overnight low temperatures will come back down into the upper 50's.

Currently there is no significant rainmaker in sight, however there are some models indicating that we might see some dry thunderstorm activity over the mountains this coming weekend. Most of the activity stays down in Oregon but the Cascade Mountain range right now is under a red flag warning. 

A red flag warning means that conditions are causing extreme fire danger. The criteria for a red flag warning is a relative humidity 15% or below, in combination with sustained or frequently gusting winds above 25mph. Both conditions have to be occurring for at least 3 hours out of a 12-hour period to issue a red flag warning.

I've been asked why the Puget Sound lowlands area, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, are not under a red flag warning. We don't have the consistently strong enough winds or a low enough relative humidity right now. This does not mean that fire danger isn't high, as we still have a lot of dry fuels around which is typical of late July and August in our region.

Relative humidity has been in the 40-50% area so far during this heatwave, which is a little more humid than normal, and winds have been calm, with the biggest gusts averaging around 15-18mph.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com



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WeatherWatcher: High temps and wildfire smoke give way to cool down and clear out later in the week

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Photo by Carl Dinse 7-4-2023

Right now we have a light layer of Canadian wildfire smoke hanging over Puget Sound.

Wednesday and Thursday will still be hazy with the wildfire smoke aloft. High temps will be in the mid 80’s both days.

Photo by Carl Dinse 7-4-2023

Friday we get our A/C back in the form of an onshore flow. We’ll cool back down to the mid 70’s for highs and the wildfire smoke aloft will clear out.

Saturday and beyond should be a decent week weather wise, with sunny skies, highs in the 70’s, and an onshore flow with no wildfire smoke.



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Cumulus Clouds over the Salish Sea

Sunday, June 25, 2023

 
Photo by Barbara Twaddell

Cumulus clouds forming over the Olympics this afternoon. Seen from Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

--Barbara Twaddell



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Misty rain caught on a leaf

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Take a moment… Stop… Look closely when outside during one of our peaceful misty rains. No wind gives the Rain Drops a chance to Dance in the Light.

--Gordon Snyder


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WeatherWatcher: Wildfire Smoke returns, no end in sight to sunny days

Thursday, May 18, 2023

 
From the archive, Thunderstorms bubbling up over the Olympics.
Photographed from Richmond Beach August 2013 by Carl Dinse.
Believe it or not, wildfire smoke has returned to Western Washington already. This time the source of all the smoke is from wildfires in northern Alberta, Canada.

The smoke is expected to remain mostly aloft (in the upper atmosphere) this time. The smoke will, however, produce hazy days with colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Our forecast shows basically no end in sight to the sunny skies and summer like weather. There is a slight chance of some afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Thursday but beyond that, expect hazy to sunny skies and clear nights. 

Temperatures will still be above normal, reaching the upper 70's to low 80's and lows in the mid to upper 50's.

We cool down a little on Sunday, with high temperatures dropping to the upper 60's with partly sunny skies and a slight chance of showers Monday. 

Mostly sunny skies return Monday evening and continue through next Wednesday with highs back into the low 70's.

Daily high and low temperatures for the month of May
from Shoreline Weather station in Northridge / Echo Lake neighborhood
May heatwave statistics:
  • National Weather Service had issued a Heat Advisory from Saturday May 13th at 2pm until Monday May 15th at 8pm.
    • Friday May 12th: High: 80°F, Low: 51°F
    • Saturday May 13th: High: 82°F, Low: 57°F
    • Sunday May 14th: High: 89°F, Low: 63°F
    • Monday May 15th: High: 89°F, Low: 62°F
    • Tuesday May 16th: High: 79°F, Low: 57°F

For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


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Hot weather produces beautiful skies

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Photo by Barbara Twaddell

Barbara waited until the temperature dropped to go outside to get this shot of multicolored clouds.

 

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After the heat, a cool breeze

 
Photo by Janet Way

After the heat of the day, a cool breeze came in. The dramatic lightning storms were in the south and we got the cloud contrast and this peaceful view through the trees of Paramount Open Space.



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Everyone headed to the beach

Monday, May 15, 2023

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

How to have it all - shade - beach - scenic view

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

The Edmonds Beach was full of people on Sunday for the first hot day of the year.



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Cooling centers in King county

Friday, May 12, 2023

Hot Sun by David Law on Unsplash.com

With the anticipated heat events of the next week or so (see WeatherWatcher) the King County Regional Homeless Authority has released a complete list of cooling centers.

In our area the libraries are the primary option. 



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The air is warm but the water is cold: how to stay safe around water

Participants at Kenmore Waterfront Activity Day all wore proper safety gear

With hot weather predicted in the coming weeks (see WeatherWatcher article) here are some important reminders from UW Medicine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning kills about 4,000 people each year in the United States and it is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old.

Drowning is preventable. Dr. Chinenyenwa Mpamaugo, a pediatric resident at the University of Washington School of Medicine, says every family should be mindful of three priorities before spending time at a beach, lake, river or pool:

1. Wear a life jacket.

“Regardless of your capability of swimming and how good you think you are as a swimmer, I want to reinforce the importance of having a life jacket,” said Mpamaugo. “For any kid under age 5, all of them should be wearing a life jacket at any body of water.” 

Mpamaugo says any boat passenger or participant in open-water activities like paddle boarding or kayaking should wear a life jacket — and adults can set positive examples for children in this way. Young children need a life jacket even when playing near water or on a dock.

2. Avoid alcohol and other brain-affecting substances.

Dulling your senses on or near the water “will just make it harder for you to be aware of your surroundings and to stay safe,” Mpamaugo said.

3. Swim with a buddy and with a focused supervisor nearby.

“If you are that person and you have been tasked with supervising children or even adults, it's really important that you be the person to put your phone down to be able to put 100% into the role,” said Mpamaugo. “It's key that you are watching all of the people who are involved because of how quickly things can happen.”


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WeatherWatcher: Excessive heat watch in effect Saturday - Monday

Thursday, May 11, 2023

 
Sunny day in Shoreline on 185th near Aurora Ave. March 2019
Photo by Carl Dinse
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued an excessive heat watch to be in effect from Saturday afternoon until Monday afternoon. This is expected to turn into a heat advisory as we get closer to the weekend.

High pressure has built up in the upper atmosphere along the west coast interior, centered over interior British Columbia, Canada. This "heat dome" or dome of high pressure is pushing sinking heating air south and west into the Puget Sound region. This brings us glorious sunny weather, clear skies, and warm temperatures.

The sunny skies and warm air are making up for our unusually cold spring. Thursday and Friday high temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70's. We could even get near or just past 80°F on Friday and into the low to mid 80's on Saturday.

Sunday and Monday are when the heat starts to crank up, with high temperatures into the mid to upper 80's, or low 90's. There's a higher chance of seeing 90°F or more if you're south of Northgate, or away from Puget Sound. I expect most of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park to be in the upper 80's to near 90°F.  Lake Forest Park might trend warmer.

At the tail end of this heatwave, as with most heat waves around here that end quickly, there is a slight chance of thunderstorms developing. An upper-level low over California might rotate some extra energy from the east up and over the Cascade Mountains. This could be enough energy combined with the cooling atmosphere to get convection started, leading to possible thunderstorm activity.

One of the dangers of this heat wave is it may drive a lot of people to go to the water. Water temperatures are still dangerously cold right now which will put a lot of people at risk of hypothermia if they spend time in the water.

If SeaTac reaches 90°F this weekend or Monday it could set the record for earliest day in the year breaking the 90°F mark. 

Beyond the weekend: Mostly sunny conditions are expected to continue through all next week, highs in the mid 70's and lows in the upper 50's. It's going to feel like summer for a while, outside of this heatwave it's probably welcomed by many after this cold and grey spring we've been having.


For current weather conditions visit www.shorelineweather.com


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