WeatherWatcher: Heat Advisory issued, short heatwave, then regular summer

From the archives, hot sunny July evening at Richmond Beach, 7-24-2022.
Photo by Carl Dinse

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a heat advisory in effect for virtually all Puget Sound Lowlands, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The heat advisory is in effect from Sunday morning at 11 AM until Tuesday morning at 5 AM.

From the National Weather Service:

• What: Hot conditions with high temperatures up to 85 to 90 degrees and low temperatures down to 60 degrees expected. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
• Where: Eastern Kitsap County, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, Lowlands of Western Skagit and Northwestern Snohomish Counties, Lowlands of Western Whatcom County, Northern Hood Canal, Port Townsend Area, Southern Hood Canal, Downtown Everett / Marysville Area, and Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area.
• When: From 11 AM Sunday to 5 AM PDT Tuesday.
• Impacts: Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
• Additional details: The warmest daytime high temperatures are expected Monday afternoon and the warmest overnight lows are expected Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

For sheltering information and other human services in your area, dial 2 1 1 during business hours or visit wa211.org anytime.

Forecast: For the next 7 days and beyond, the forecast calls for sunny skies and mostly clear nights. We are at the start of a short-lived mild heatwave, where we are expecting high temperatures in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas to peak in the mid 80's on Sunday and Monday, with lows near 60°F.

Tuesday, we return to our seasonably sunny days with highs back down into the 70's, and lows in the 50's. 

We repeat this forecast Wednesday and Thursday as well, with Friday warming up just a bit to near 80°F. Next weekend looks sunny with high temperatures returning to the mid 70's.

For current weather conditions and alerts, please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: June Gloom in May, some showers later in the week

From the archives: Gloomy day at Richmond Beach, May 13, 2019.
Photo by Carl Dinse

After the heatwave early last week, we've been in a more typical May or June weather pattern around here. A shallow marine layer of cooler air and low clouds has had a solid grip on us since Tuesday. Generally, more of the same is in our future, with some sun breaks here and there.

The Forecast from the National Weather Service is calling for mostly cloudy skies Saturday night through Monday morning. Low temperatures in the 50's and high temperatures in the 60's. Sun is expected to make an appearance later in the days Monday through next weekend. Temperatures are expected to continue reaching the upper 60's to low 70's with lows in the 50's.

Rain might make a return with a slight chance of showers Tuesday night through next weekend. Currently there is no major storms in the forecast to bring us anything significant.

Last week's highlights:

• High temperature: 82.4°F (Monday)
• Low temperature: 47.1°F (Thursday)
• No measurable rain.
• Average temperature: 59.2°F (5.3°F above average)

High and low temperatures in Shoreline compared to normal

You can see our nice little heat wave on the graphs above. This did break some daily records but not the highest temperature recorded in the month of May. I don't consider these warm days to be out of character for May. It is typical to have a few days here and there reach the low 80's by the time we get past mid-April.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: False Summer is here, no rain in sight

From the archives, Sunny day looking east on 185th from Aurora Ave.
Photo by Carl Dinse

False summer has arrived, where we've been mostly dry and seasonable since April 22nd. The seasonable part is about to change with a pair of days ahead bringing warmer than normal temperatures. Latest forecasts late Saturday however have backed off on high temperatures, keeping the warmest air south of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

Forecasted High Temperatures Monday from the National Weather Service

Forecast: The next 7 days are forecasted to be sunny, and mostly clear skies. Currently there's no hints at any rain or stormy weather anytime soon. Our biggest weather news this week will likely be Sunday and Monday's temperatures. On Sunday we're expecting high temperatures in the upper 70's, with a slight chance that we might break 80°F here in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Chances are best for breaking that barrier east of I-5.

Monday, we have an increased chance of breaking 80°F in Lake Forest Park especially, but possible across Shoreline as well. Temperatures will be a little cooler the closer you get to the Puget Sound. If we reach or pass 80°F it will be our first time breaking 80°F this year.

Tuesday through next weekend we cool back down, with high temperatures in the low to mid 70's Tuesday, and highs down into the mid to upper 60's Wednesday and through next weekend. Lows are expected to be generally on either side of 50°F, with a cooling trend as we get later into the week.

Last month's highlights:

• High temperature: 75.9°F (April 20th)
• Low temperature: 36.3°F (April 8th)
• Rainiest Day: 0.95 inches (April 1st)
• Total Rainfall: 3.28 inches (We were above the normal of 2.88 inches)
• Average temperature: 50.4°F (We were above the normal of 49.2°F)

Rainfall accumulation for April 2026 in North Ridge (Echo Lake).

I think our rainfall in April is the biggest highlight, where we were above normal throughout the month. Three major weather systems were responsible for most of the rainfall, and some of these weather systems brought much needed snow to the mountains as well.

Daily high and low temperatures compared to average in North Ridge (Echo Lake).

Temperatures were slightly above average, mainly due to our early summer weather as seen in the high temperature spikes between 18th and 22nd and again at the end of the month. You can also see how earlier last week when we had the low cloud cover and fog our temperatures were closer to normal around 26th through 28th.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Last week's strong thunderstorm, week ahead calmer, mostly Spring

 

Significant hail in downtown Seattle Wednesday April 15, 2026.
Photo by John Boril

Last Wednesday we had a serious thunderstorm develop out of the active Puget Sound Convergence Zone. Storms like this between Bremerton and Seattle are common once or twice a year during the spring or fall. Fun fact, that east west line is where most recorded Puget Sound tornados or waterspouts have occurred.

This thunderstorm brought a lot of hail to the downtown Seattle area as well as Kitsap Peninsula and Bellevue. In addition to the heavy hail, and winds, shortly after 3 PM PDT a waterspout formed on Puget Sound about 2-3 miles west of Magnolia before the storm moved all the way into the Seattle area. 

For those keeping track, the difference between a waterspout and a tornado is one forms over water, the other forms over land.

Radar image 3:25 PM PDT April 15, 2026.
From the National Weather Service

The radar image that afternoon shows a nice red spot where the waterspout activity was, and where the core of the hail fall was before it tracked southeast into downtown Seattle. Generally, in an east west pattern everyone from about West Seattle all the way to south Everett was under the thunderstorm activity in this active convergence zone band.

Forecast: The weather for the next 7 days should be much calmer, and more spring like. We have another partly sunny day on track for Monday with high temperatures near 70°F. Tuesday brings an approaching system that is expected to bring us a round of rain Tuesday afternoon and evening. High temperature is still expected to reach 60°F. 

Wednesday starts to transition back to dry weather with only a chance of showers in the morning and afternoon, but cooler with highs in the 50's. Thursday through next Sunday is looking sunny with high temperatures reaching the low to mid 60's every day.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Wind Advisory in effect Wednesday

From the archives, windstorm damage in the Hillwood Neighborhood March 16, 2016.
Photo by Carl Dinse

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a wind advisory. The wind advisory is in effect Wednesday at 3 PM PDT until Thursday at 6 AM PDT. 

From the National Weather Service:

...Wind advisory in effect from 3 PM Wednesday to 6 AM PDT Thursday..

• What: Southwest winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Winds in areas from Everett north will switch to northwesterlies at 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph between 8PM and 11PM Wednesday.
• Where: Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
• When: From 3 PM Wednesday to 6 AM PDT Thursday.
• Impacts: Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. 
• Additional Details: A shift from strong southwesterly winds to northwesterly winds will occur in areas from Everett north through western Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, Island and San Juan Counties between 8PM and 11PM Wednesday lasting through early Thursday morning. 
  

Precautionary / Preparedness actions:

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicles. Secure outdoor objects. 

For Shoreline and Lake Forest Park: Latest model runs agree that we will see winds peak between 3 PM and midnight Wednesday evening. Most models have peak gusts at 45-50mph, with one of the high-resolution models forecasting that we could reach 60mph gusts.

Winds could be damaging Wednesday evening, and I wouldn't be surprised if this gets upgraded to a high wind warning at the last minute. Power outages and storm damage could be widespread.

Behind this windstorm into Thursday morning are hints of a strong convergence zone, which could bring heavy precipitation, including a mix of rain and snow. Still, marginal snow chances at best. Accumulations are not expected but there is a slim chance that we could see some accumulating snow. Beyond Thursday we continue to flirt with the snow and rain mix showers through the weekend. The good news is there are hints that next week could warm up into the low 60's.

For current weather conditions and the latest alerts from the National Weather Service, please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Current Weather Explained, Forecast: Will it Snow? Not really.

 

Total snow amount forecast by 5am PDT Wednesday
Graphic by the National Weather Service

The big story right now is the wet snowflakes mixed in with rain showers in the area. There's been some spots of hail too reported in the Richmond Beach neighborhood today (Monday). All this seemingly crazy weather is the result of an active Puget Sound Convergence zone that has set up shop and been intermittently moving between Everett and Seattle Sunday and Monday.

Believe it or not, but March and April are prime time seasonally for Puget Sound Convergence zone events. This is typically the time of year when cold air from the Arctic pours out over the Gulf of Alaska and moves in from the west or northwest into Western Washington. This air gets modified by the relatively warm Pacific Ocean and becomes unstable. This creates our spotty cool shower activity and when the angle of the westerly wind is just right, forms a convergence zone.

Hillwood neighborhood snowfall on Monday afternoon
Photo by Pam Cross

Today (Monday, March 9, 2026) was no different, with an active but dissipating and recurring convergence zone developed between around Everett to Northgate Seattle area. The air near the surface has been warmed by the ocean and stronger sun of late winter but remains very cold aloft. Heavier precipitation causes that colder air aloft to move down closer to the surface, which is why we start to see a wintery mix with the heavier rain showers.

Forecast: Monday night and Tuesday morning the convergence zone activity is expected to intermittently continue. With the warmth of the sun gone overnight, some of those showers will likely mix with snow, or could become all snow at times. These showers are short lived in nature and any accumulation that does happen will likely be limited to exposed grassy surfaces. It's not expected to get cold enough for roads to freeze and accumulate any snow. No accumulations in general are expected.

Tuesday afternoon and evening a more organized rainmaker approaches, and some of that rain may start as snow, or rain and snow mixed, before we warm up into the mid 40's. Rain is expected to continue Wednesday morning and afternoon. Winds are expected to pick up on Wednesday as well, with some stronger gusts possible toward the evening hours of 30-40mph.

Rain continues at times Thursday morning and afternoon, then more chilly air sinks back into the region and brings more threats of rain and snow-mixed precipitation in the overnight hours for Thursday night, Friday morning, again Friday night and Saturday morning. More rain/snow mix precipitation is possible once again Saturday night and Sunday morning before longer range forecasts suggest we warm back up.

Bottom line: For Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, these kinds of rain/snow mixed showers are common in March and April, but it is rare for them to produce any significant accumulation. We might see a quick half inch here and there in heavy showers but it'll melt off rapidly, especially if the sun comes out.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Chance of insignificant wet snows this week

 

From the archives: April 18, 2008 convergence zone snow, Shoreline, WA.
Photo by Carl Dinse

This week will be our first real chance at seeing snowflakes in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park area this winter. Forecast models have had a lot of inconsistencies in dealing with this set up, as seems to always be the case when we talk about potential lowland snow. I've been watching the forecast models now regarding this pattern for the past 10 days.

What to expect: We are expecting scattered rain and snow showers through the region all week and into next weekend. Temperatures are cool, but not a major cold arctic outbreak. Lows are expected to be in the upper 20's to low 30's with highs in the low to mid 40's throughout the week. Showers at times may be mixed with snow, especially overnight. 

Accumulations are expected to be none to light on grassy surfaces and car roof tops. Roads will likely remain clear in most situations. Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, and Thursday evening into Friday morning appear to be our biggest chances of seeing snowfall, with very minor accumulations if any. Anything that does stick will melt away during the daylight hours.

Bottom line: For the entire week, I'm giving it about a 30-40% chance that we'll see a trace of snow accumulation on lawns and other non-paved surfaces. I give it a 10% chance that anything will accumulate on roadways. If there were to be any morning accumulations, it would be Wednesday morning and Friday morning. 

The forecast could change later this week, but it is important to note that we're getting past the time of winter where we typically have lasting, impactful snow events.

Stay safe out there.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: False Spring arrives this week

 

High temperature forecast Wednesday February 4, 2026.
Graphic by National Weather Service in Seattle.

False Spring arrives this week for a few days. It will make us feel like April or early May has arrived, but it will be short lived, and we'll have to get through one more rainstorm before it arrives.

Forecast: We have another typical storm front moving through the region Monday morning and afternoon. It's not expected to be a lot of rain, around a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain is expected. Rain breaks off to showers Monday afternoon and evening. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 40's to mid 50's.

Tuesday through Friday the skies start to clear up and dry out as we have another ridge of high pressure dominate the region. Temperatures on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are expected to reach near 60°F, with Wednesday expected to be the warmest, getting into the low 60's. This will be a great time to get some outside work done if you've been putting off any projects.

Low temperatures during this dry weather are expected to be mild, reaching the mid to lower 40's each night. No freezing temperatures on the horizon currently.

Next weekend we cool a little bit, with high temperatures back into the mid 50's. Clouds return, as well as the chance of rain on Saturday. Sunday looks to be the rainiest day of next weekend.

Longer range forecast: Some extended forecast models are trending back towards a more seasonal weather pattern for the region, with rain events for the lowlands, and potentially bringing snow back to the mountain passes. 

Cooler air may start to reach our area, especially after the middle of February. Way too early to tell what it means for the lowlands but it does seem to suggest at least the mountains will be making up for some of their lost snowfall.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Cold Weather Advisory in effect

 

National Weather Service in Seattle

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a cold weather advisory for the greater Seattle area which includes Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

From the National Weather Service:

Cold weather advisory is in effect from Midnight Friday night until 9am Saturday morning.

• What: Very cold temperatures as low as 20 to 25 degrees expected.
• Where: Eastern Kitsap County, City of Seattle, Downtown Everett / Marysville Area, Eastside, Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties, and Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area.
• When: From midnight tonight to 9 AM PST Saturday.
• Impacts: Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
• Additional Details: Temperatures will be coldest away from the water.
  

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

For sheltering information and other human services in your area, dial 2 1 1 during business hours or visit wa211.org anytime. 

Forecast: For the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas I am expecting temperatures to drop to the mid to upper 20's overnight Friday night into Saturday morning, again on Saturday night into Sunday morning. It's possible to see an isolated low temperature into the lower 20's in spots away from water.

Sunny skies and clear nights expected through most of the weekend. For daytime temperatures we're expecting to top out in the low to mid 40's through the weekend. 

Sunday night we are looking to warm up a little with low temperatures in the 30's. Clouds are expected to start moving in as well. Monday through Tuesday night we are looking at mostly cloudy skies, high temperatures in the mid 40's Monday, lower 50's Tuesday, and lows in the mid to upper 30's.

By Wednesday, with the current forecast, a slight chance of rain returns, finally. I will note that originally forecasts were calling for the return of rain Friday this week but as we got closer it kept pushing our chances of rain out increasingly. 

Monday or Tuesday may have another change in the forecast, holding off rain even longer. As it stands now, Wednesday through next Friday cloudy skies are expected, with a slight chance of rain at any given time during that period. Temperatures will be milder with daytime temperatures near 50°F and lows in the lower 40's. 

Extended Forecast: A warmer and drier trend is still the overall signal for our weather pattern going off into the extended forecasts. Very unusual for a La Niña winter around here. Typically, La Niña winters here tend to be cooler and wetter than normal, with an increased chance of snow events.

This winter has had no snow and, aside from December, less rainfall than usual. The only winters I can recall that were snow-free in recent decades were the winter of 2009-2010, and winter of 1991-1992.

We still have about 6 to 8 weeks left where a widespread snow event could be possible, but not likely in the next 2 weeks. As we get past about the middle of March widespread snow events become less likely. 

Puget Sound Convergence zone events that could bring snow locally to the Shoreline area are possible all the way into late April, such as what happened April 18, 2008.

www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Off and on rain for the week ahead, but chilly. December in review

Sun streak is a high cirrus cloud reflecting the sun after sunset.
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Forecast: Chilly and rainy for the next 7 days. We are looking at several cold fronts moving through the region one after another all the way through next weekend. No flooding rain thankfully, we’re taking on a northwesterly flow now, so the rain is cooler, and less potent than the atmospheric rivers we experienced last month.

High temperatures all week and next weekend are expected to be in the low to mid 40’s generally. Lows are expected to range in the mid to upper 30’s to near 40 each night. Saturday appears to be an exception with a high temperature near 50°F.

There are two other exceptions to our forecast this week. Tuesday appears to be a breezy to windy day, with wind gusts up to 35 mph possible. It's nothing we haven’t already experienced though, this winter. 

Wednesday night to Thursday morning, and again Thursday night to Friday morning there is a slight chance that we could see some snow mixed in with rain showers at times. This is only possible during the overnight hours as it is just too warm for anything serious. 

No accumulations are expected of snow this week, but if we do see an inch or two in the overnight hours it will quickly melt away during the daytime. I don’t expect to see any snow mixing in outside of the convergence zone, and often that convergence zone forms north of Shoreline usually between Lynnwood and Everett.

Bottom line: Chilly and rainy this week, breezy on Tuesday, and a very slight chance of some snow mixed in during the overnight hours Wednesday and Thursday. 

December in review:

A very stormy December compared to the past few years is now in the history books. We had many days of windy conditions exceeding 40mph gusts. More than average rainfall as well, with a temperature averaging nearly 4°F above normal. 

December 2025 daily high and low temperatures compared to normal at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station

We did cool down for the last week of December which for a week-to-week comparison was cooler than normal, just slightly compared historic data for the last week of December.

December 2025 total accumulated rainfall compared to normal at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station

We ended December above average for total rainfall by 0.3 inches. We had many rain events throughout the month, but the biggest chunk of that rain was during the week of back-to-back atmospheric rivers from December 15th until December 18th. During that time frame we received 2.41 inches of rain, for the month our total rainfall was 5.48 inches.

December 2025 Daily maximum wind gusts recorded at Paine Field in Everett WA

It was very windy in December as well, with 9 days reaching wind gusts to 35mph or greater at Paine Field in Everett. I’ve checked a couple of personal local weather stations in Shoreline that seem to record strong wind gusts as well, and they line up quite well with Paine Field, so I think Paine Field is a good source to trust for what winds we experience. Our strongest wind gust was 54 mph on December 15.

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WeatherWatcher: Wind Warning downgraded to Wind Advisory

Forecasted Wind Gusts in MPH
National Weather Service in Seattle

The National Weather Service in Seattle has downgraded the high wind warning this morning to a wind advisory. Winds are expected to gust between 45-50mph, but there could be a localized gust of 50mph near the water. Above is the latest maximum wind gust forecast image.

From the National Weather Service:

Updated: Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 10:52:49 AM PST

Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 PM PST this evening.

• What: South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. A gust to 50 mph cannot be ruled out in areas closest to the waters of Puget Sound.
• Where: Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
• When: Until 7 PM PST this evening.
• Impacts: Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicles. Secure outdoor objects.

This storm is going to be more like the winds we've already experienced this season, potentially less severe than some of the storms we've already had. I'm not expecting to see too much damage or anything beyond a few isolated power outages throughout the region.

  

www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: High Wind Warning in effect Christmas Eve 10am to 7pm PST

 

Forecast Max Wind Gust issued December 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM PST
National Weather Service in Seattle

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a high wind warning for the greater Seattle to Everett area including the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. The warning is in effect Wednesday (Christmas Eve) from 10 AM until 7 PM PST.

From the National Weather Service:

Updated: Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 8:14:03 PM PST

High wind warning in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM PST Wednesday.

• What: South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts 50 to 60 mph expected.
• Where: Eastern Kitsap County, Middle Chehalis River Valley, Northern Hood Canal, City of Seattle, Eastside, Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties, Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties, Olympia and Southern Puget Sound, Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area, and Willapa and Black Hills.
• When: From 10 AM to 7 PM PST Wednesday.
• Impacts: Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
• Additional Details: Winds will initially begin as east/northeasterly in the morning before an abrupt shift to southerly by midday, with which the strongest winds will occur. Highly saturated soils will allow for an enhanced risk of tree damage and uprooting.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.

As shown in the forecast image above, the strongest winds are expected between Shoreline and Everett and extend west over the north Kitsap peninsula. This is a very fast-moving storm, coming up the coast from the south. It is expected to arrive suddenly and then be gone within an hour or two once it hits. 

Winds are likely to gust between 40-55mph through our area, but a couple of models suggest gusts above 60mph. I am giving that worst case scenario about a 10-15% chance at this point but it is in the cards so something to pay attention to.

Timing for this storm to blow through Shoreline and Lake Forest Park is expected to be between 1pm and 4pm PST Wednesday afternoon. If this forecast verifies and we see wind gusts exceeding 55mph it will be our strongest wind storm this season. With existing soil conditions several trees will likely uproot and fall. Power outages could be widespread from this storm as well throughout the region.

If you have dinner plans with friends or family for Christmas eve, I highly recommend you wait out this storm and try to push dinner plans after 5pm or get to your destinations before 1pm. This storm has potential to be a bad one, but there has continued to be a lot of uncertainties in the forecast models.

I always like to err on the side of caution, especially when the National Weather Service issues a warning, as opposed to an advisory. That said, modeling hasn't exactly been consistent with handling this storm. 

Some forecasts over the past 24 hours have suggested we could see just a breezy day, light winds, or a monster storm at 73mph. There is a slight chance this could be worse or as bad as past historic storms. Hanukkah Eve Storm of 2006 comes to mind, as does the 1993 Inaugural Day Storm.

Most Likely Scenario: Chances are greatest that this will just be a moderate windstorm, not unlike the ones we've already experienced this month with winds gusting to 45-55mph. 

There is a slight chance that this storm could totally bust and produce a noticeably calm or slightly breezy day with just some rain showers. The path of this low-pressure system only has to change by 50-100 miles in either direction to produce one of the three different scenarios.

Stay safe out there, and as always please feel free to visit www.shoerlineweather.com where the top banner on my website is automatically updated with the latest information on watches, warnings, and advisories from the National Weather Service.

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WeatherWatcher: Seasonable showery weather ahead, last week's wind and rain

 

North Pacific Satellite imagery loop from the National Weather Service

Forecast: Seasonable temperatures and showery weather are in store for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park for the next week or so. Temperatures are down to near normal now, with highs in the low to mid 40's and lows in the upper 30's. 

We can expect to see mostly cloudy days, with a few sun breaks next week. Rain showers or rain at times is also expected, but much lighter rainfall amounts than we've had the past two weeks. The cooler weather is bringing snow back into the mountains which should allow local rivers to catch up and drain down to normal levels.

There is still a special weather statement in effect regarding soil moisture levels. The National Weather Service in Seattle says there is an increased risk of landslides throughout the area.

Last week's highlights:

• High Temperature: 56.5°F (Monday)
• Low Temperature: 36.5° (Friday)
• Rainiest Day: 1.01 inches (Tuesday)
• Total Rainfall: 2.47 inches
• Average Temperature: 46.6°F (5.5°F above normal.)

Rainfall accumulation at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station

We have exceeded average rainfall now for this point in the month, with a total rainfall of 4.5 inches, compared to the normal of 3.34 inches. Normal for the entire month is 5.18 inches, so we could still fall behind again.

Daily high and low temperatures compared to average at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station

Temperatures last week continued to be well above normal, but as we approached the weekend, they have dropped significantly down to near normal temperatures for this time of year. Longer range forecasts suggest we'll continue this normal or below normal trend in temperatures going into the new year.

www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Another Wind Advisory is in effect; Heavy rainfall last week but not in Shoreline

Radar image of rainfall December 9th, 2025 at 8:11 PM PST
showing the Olympic Mountain Rain Shadow

Another atmospheric river is moving in overnight Sunday into Monday morning, bringing with it another wind advisory and more flooding to local rivers. Winds this time are expected to gust between 45mph and 55mph, especially just north of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

From the National Weather Service in Seattle:

Updated: Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 3:47:54 PM PST

Wind advisory remains in effect from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Monday.

• What: South winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts 45 to 55 mph expected.
• Where: Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
• When: Overnight Sunday to 10pm PST Monday.
• Impacts: Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
• Additional Details: Due to saturated grounds from previous heavy rain, expect more widespread impacts with these winds.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicles. Secure outdoor objects. Secure outdoor objects.

Forecast: More rain is on the way, between about a quarter inch to a half inch overnight into Monday morning. Monday is expecting another quarter to a half inch of rain, putting us between a half inch and 1 inch of rainfall over the next 24 hours. Temperatures are expected to be very warm as well, with a high temperature near 60°F on Monday. South winds 15 to 30 mph gusting up to 45-55mph.

Breezy conditions continue Tuesday and pick up a bit more Tuesday night with gusts to 30mph. More rain is expected Tuesday as well. Rain is in the forecast for every day this week and through next weekend. Temperatures will trend downwards as the week progresses, however.

High temperatures on Wednesday are coming down to the mid to upper 40's. Thursday's high temperature is expected to be near 50°F, and then Friday through the weekend temperatures are coming down to the low to mid 40's. Mountain snow is expected to return to rebuild that lost snowpack from last week's storms.

Last week's highlights:

• High Temperature: 56.7°F (Wednesday)
• Low Temperature: 45.3°F (tied with Thursday and Friday mornings)
• Rainiest day: 0.61 inches (Monday)
• Total rainfall: 1.29 inches
• Average temperature: 49.3°F (10°F above normal)

Rainfall accumulation compared to average at the Echo Lake / North ridge weather station

We totaled the week out at 1.29 inches of rain, bringing the month to date total to 2.00 inches of rain, just shy of our 2.17 normal for this point in the month. We've benefited from an impressively strong Olympic Mountain rain shadow this past week which spared us from the worst of the atmospheric rivers. The rest of the region got between 3-12 inches of rainfall.

Daily high and low temperatures compared to average at the Echo Lake / North ridge weather station

Temperatures were far above average, which is typical during atmospheric river events in Western Washington. Our low temperatures were averaging above our normal high temperatures for this time of year. Longer range forecasts are hinting at some even cooler weather towards the end of the month and year.

www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Wind Advisory in effect Monday

 

National Weather Service in Seattle

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a wind advisory in effect Monday from 7am until 10pm for the areas including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Winds are expected to gust as high as 45mph late Monday morning through Monday afternoon. 

Most high-resolution models have the worst of the winds occurring between 1pm and 5pm, with potential for another surge late in the evening. This advisory could be extended past 10pm Monday evening as a result.

From the National Weather Service:

Updated: Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 3:24:17 PM PST

Wind advisory in effect from 7am to 10pm PST Monday.

• What: South winds 15 to 25mph with gusts up to 45mph expected.
• Where: Portions of northwest and west central Washington.
• When: From 7am to 10pm PST Monday.
• Impacts: Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Precautionary/Preparedness actions:

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicles. Secure outdoor objects.

Expect it to feel windy tomorrow afternoon and evening. Given previous strong south winds this fall, I expect only minor, isolated power outages rather than widespread issues.

For current weather conditions and updates on the wind advisory, please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: I hope you like rain, a lot is on the way.

 

Richmond Beach November 2000.
Photo by Carl Dinse

Richmond Beach, November 2025.
Photo by Carl Dinse

There may not be fall colors in these photos, especially in the black and white photo, but I thought these two photos still represent this time of year very well. They were taken from the exact same vantage point with the exact same focal length but 25 years apart. Foreground trees are gone due to fire and the construction of a new parking lot and trail in 2008, but you can still see part of the trunk of the dead Douglas fir on the very left of the lower image.

Today, the clouds continue rolling in as they have in most past years during late fall. I hope you really like rain, because that's what we're getting all next week. Sunday will have a little late afternoon break in the rain, better take advantage of it. 

The forecast for Sunday night and Monday is rain, with high temperatures in the low to mid 50's, and lows in the mid to upper 40's. Monday evening we are expecting some breezy conditions, with wind gusts up to 35mph possible. Now take that forecast, remove the strong winds, and repeat it for Tuesday, Wednesday and the rest of next week and into next weekend.

A lot of rain is expected, up to 2-3 inches worth of rain could fall in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas next week. Local rivers all have flood watches in effect, as this rain won't be falling as snow at mountain pass levels. Luckily Shoreline and Lake Forest Park are not in any of the river valleys so locally we won't have to worry about river flooding. There could be some urban stream flooding in places and a lot of standing water on roadways.

Last week's highlights:

• High Temperature: 52.7°F (Friday)
• Low Temperature: 30.2°F (Sunday morning)
• Rainiest day: 0.51 inches (Thursday)
• Average temperature: 41.3°F (1.2°F warmer than normal)

November's monthly total rainfall, if you can believe it, still fell just short of the average at a total of 5.53 inches of rain. Our normal monthly rainfall for November is 6.00 inches.

Rainfall at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station November 2025

Our temperatures were above normal for the month as well, particularly during the middle of the month. The average temperature was 46.3°F, compared to a normal of 43.5°F, not quite 3°F above normal.

Daily high and low temperatures at the North Ridge / Echo Lake weather station compared to average.

The above temperature graph really shows how fast we drop in daily temperatures towards the end of November. We are not in the time of year where we could get cold, or mild, depending on the weather pattern. Current trends are pointing at a mild and rainy run for the next couple of weeks, but towards the end of December it could start getting cooler.

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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WeatherWatcher: Very wet start to the month, with plenty more rain on the way

 

Beaver Moon November 5, 2025
Photo by Aden Helland

I hope everyone enjoyed a break from the rain Friday through Sunday. We have more rain on the way coming in late Sunday night and Monday. This rainstorm looks significantly lighter than what we experienced last week, we'll have probably less than a quarter inch of rain by the end of the day Monday.

Looks like we're getting another break in the rain Tuesday with partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 50's. More rain returns Wednesday and is expected to last through next weekend. 

Temperatures are expected to be typical for this time of year, with highs in the low to mid 50's and lows in the mid 40's. Some models indicate the potential for more breezy or windy conditions sometime in the middle of the week.

Last week's highlights:

• High temperature: 58.5°F (Sunday)
• Low temperature: 36.9°F (Tuesday morning)
• Rainiest day: 1.39 inches (Wednesday)
• Average temperature: 48.3°F, 0.8°F above normal.

Last week was quite a wild week of weather. It started on Saturday with a wind advisory, with winds gusting up to nearly 40mph in the area. 35mph was confirmed in the Richmond Beach neighborhood. Paine Field in southwest Everett recorded several gusts at 39mph.

Then another significant storm brought us a lot of rain Wednesday and Thursday, and with it a couple of lightning strikes. On Wednesday there were at least two confirmed locations in Lake Forest Park of cloud to ground lightning which damaged trees. Lightning must have reached the power grid as well during that storm as there were reports of damage to an electrical heating system, and appliances in homes. 

Rain totals so far at the Echo Lake / Northridge Weather Station

In just the first seven days of November we have reached nearly half our average rainfall total for the month. Our current rainfall total is 2.97 inches, whereas the normal for the entire month of November is 6.00 inches. 2.02 inches of that rain fell during the Wednesday and Thursday rain event with the isolated thunderstorms.

Daily high and low temperatures compared to average at the Echo Lake / Northridge Weather Station

Temperatures have been basically seasonal last week, with the normal amount of variability. Tuesday was a little chillier than normal for this time of year but then the rainstorm warmth made up for it. 

For current weather conditions please visit www.shorelineweather.com

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