Light snow is falling again around the neighborhood, but this time it’s cold enough to stick. “The flurries should only dust a few spots this morning with less that an inch accumulations,” says KING 5 Meteorologist Rich Marriott.
The major thoroughfares in Queen Anne are just wet, and traffic is moving well. Check the Queen Anne-area traffic cams to get a feel for the conditions.
Meanwhile, the latest forecast run for tomorrow night is “1 to 4 inches” in the lowlands, with snow turning to rain by Wednesday afternoon.
If you’re trekking around the hill today or have caught a glimpse out the nearest window, odds are you’ve noticed that it’s snowing here in Queen Anne. Though the temperature’s a bit too high for anything to stick (at 37 degrees as of 3:30 this afternoon), we’re seeing a pretty substantial mix of snow and rainfall in the neighborhood.
While no accumulation is expected for today’s snow showers, forecasters are looking ahead to Tuesday night and Wednesday, where a significant snow event could be in play.
As is typical here in Seattle, the forecast keeps shifting. At first, UW meteorologist Cliff Mass suggested it could be a historic snow event. Then he backed off as forecasts showed it heading north, perhaps into Vancouver. Now the Weather Service says the model has it shifting a little more south, which could bring 4 inches or more in the Seattle area. “It’s still way too early to know what scenario will play out,” says the Weather Service.
If you’re planning to stick around Queen Anne to celebrate New Year’s this year, then there are plenty of places you can go for a prime view of the fireworks at the Space Needle at midnight.
Photo courtesy of the Seattle Center.
Here are just a few places you can ring in the New Year, for free, around the neighborhood.
Center House, Seattle Center—Ring in 2011 with the rocking sounds of The Machine, and witness the fireworks up close and personal.
For many years, The Machine has been playing around the Pacific Northwest, offering the best PARTY music in town. When you come and see The Machine, you will only hear DANCEABLE, FUN, PARTY rock and roll, AND you will have a great time.
Kerry Park—Climb up to Kerry Park, Seattle’s quintessential viewpoint (211 W Highland Dr.) to see the city skyline, Elliott Bay, and of course, the fireworks at the Needle. But remember, Kerry Park is a small space and likely to be packed, so get there early to scope out a prime viewing spot.
The South Slope—If you’re looking to have a more low key New Year’s, while still enjoying the festivities, you can have your own private viewing party from a number of sites along the south slope. Just drive around and pull over anywhere you have a clear view of the Needle. Advantages: these viewing spots are likely to be less crowded, and offer you a quick way home if you live nearby.
From the Water—If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, or know a friend who does and are comfortable battling the cold and wind, the view of the fireworks will be picturesque from Elliott Bay. Ahoy matey!
Wondering what’s in store for New Year’s at the Needle? Check out this footage of the 2010 New Year’s fireworks show, courtesy of PJtheFey.
While the weather today left the possibility of snow open, the forecast predicts mostly sunny skies on Friday, December 31, with a high of 40 degrees, a small chance of precipitation, and an overnight low of 28 degrees. So wherever you plan on watching the fireworks, the skies should be clear.
Have a favorite—and free—place to catch the fireworks? Comment below to add them to our list. Happy New Year!
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is preparing for the possibility of snow and ice on city streets again tomorrow. The forecast, which outlines temperatures just above freezing overnight tonight, could bring up to one-half inch of wet snow and the possibility of an additional inch of snow Wednesday morning.
After 10 p.m. tonight SDOT crews will proactively apply salt brine in roadway areas where frost or black ice is prone to develop, especially on bridges and other elevated structures around the city.
Starting at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning (Wednesday), SDOT spreader trucks will be prepositioned throughout the city, ready to spread rock salt on major arterial streets (primary snow routes, Levels 1 and 2) for the morning commute if conditions warrant.
SDOT’s snow plan calls for plowing when there is more than one inch of snow accumulated on roadways, which is not part of the forecast at this time.
Despite the potential for snow, University of Washington atmospheric scientist Cliff Mass says the likelihood that we’ll see a repeat of the snow and severe ice that blasted us on Thanksgiving week is low. He writes on his blog:
This is a VERY, VERY different situation than November 22nd. You will not see a powerful arctic blast associated with strong high pressure in British Columbia and a major coastal low over SW Washington. Temperatures will be far more marginal. Far less icing potential. But there COULD be some interesting wrinkles….like a chance for Puget Sound Convergence Zone snow.
Cliff estimates that “where precipitation is heavy enough, some snow showers could reach the surface, but nothing substantial.”
If the Convergence Zone is stronger than forecast then more snow could hit the Puget Sound lowlands. However, forecast temperatures are predicted to peak near 40F on Wednesday. This looks marginal to me…only heavy precipitation and the cooling associated with it…something that is not predicted… could bring several inches of snow to Seattle.
We will continue to monitor the evolution of this event, but right now it does not look serious event near sea level. Eastern suburbs could get few inches. Not an icing situation during the day…
High winds are causing power outages around the area. The east and west sides of the hill are without power.
This is a Seattle City Light map of current outages as of 7 a.m. Engine 8 was called out to 1400 Bigelow Ave N at 6:45 a.m. for reports of wires down. Our tipster Silver says a transformer blew and was hanging over the street. She says crews on the scene are calling it a “real mess.” Seattle City Light reminds people on their website that downed power lines are extremely dangerous and people should stay at least 20 feet away from them. According to the map, nearly 10,000 people are without power in Magnolia and Queen Anne.
Updated: Forecasters are calling for as much as 1 to 3 inches of snow today, mostly in the afternoon. KING 5 photographer @king5unit11 took this photo of snow flurries on the top of Queen Anne this morning:
The biggest traffic trouble spot right now is the Aurora Bridge, which is covered with ice. There have been two accidents so far (photo). SDOT says it has deployed its snow plows “to patrol snow routes and treat problem spots.”
Traffic camera updated every couple minutes at Queen Anne Ave. and Mercer
Today middle and high schools will start at the regular time, but will dismiss early at 12:35 p.m. This is due to the fact that snow is expected later in the afternoon. The elementary and K-8 Parent-Teacher conferences will proceed today as planned.
And here’s the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:
Cloudy with snow flurries this morning. Snow at times this afternoon. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches. Becoming windy. North wind 10 to 15 MPH increasing to 20 to 30 MPH this afternoon. Temperatures near 30.
Have traffic and weather updates of your own? Post them in comments below, and send us photos to tips@queenanneview.com.
Update: Metro buses will be on snow routes Monday morning in anticipation of a snowy commute. Here’s a link to the Metro site for details. Meanwhile, SDOT says it’s “applying salt brine to hills, curves, and known icy spots” on Sunday evening — hopefully here on Queen Anne — and has trucks on standby for the Monday commute. Looks like everyone is on full snow alert.
A few flurries are falling on Queen Anne (and some in Lower Queen Anne, as well), which is the first snow of the season here in Seattle. At first forecasters said it would be a fleeting non-event, but now the National Weather Service says we could end up seeing as much as “1 to 2 inches” through tomorrow.
If/when the snow begins to stick, send us some photos here at tips@queenanneview.com. And stay safe and warm out there!
Thursday is going to be hot. The National Weather Service (NWS) is expecting record-breaking temps to reach the mid-90s so a heat advisory has been issued from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“As temperatures climb into the 90s… sunstroke… heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. This is especially true for the elderly,” states the NWS Special Weather Statement. “Some precautions that will reduce the risk of heat related illness include but are not limited to… reducing strenuous activity… wear lightweight and light colored clothing… and drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids. Also… never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles during hot weather.”
The current record high for Thursday is 88 degrees set back in 1953, for Friday the record is 87 set in 1985 and 1952. After Friday, temperatures will start cooling back into the 70s and 80s for the weekend.
It’s true when they say that summer doesn’t start around here until after the 4th of July. Well it’s July 6th and summer is here. Right on time. The 5-day forecast from King5.com
Cliff Mass explains why there is a sudden shift in the weather pattern, “Two reasons: high pressure aloft is producing general sinking and warming of air (by compression) is the first. And there is easterly flow developing over the Cascades, which produces enhanced sinking (warming) on the western slopes.” You can read his entire explanation, complete with maps highlighting the weather over the next few days, on his blog.
Expectations for tonight’s Independence Day fireworks range from neutral to downright gloomy.
The National Weather Service is predicting fairly good weather north and south of Seattle, but a Puget Sound Convergence Zone may set up directly over Lake Union, with up to a 60 percent chance of showers.
Cliff Mass, University of Washington professor of atmospheric sciences, says on his blog that he’s taking an umbrella to watch the fireworks.
But, he reminds us that once July 4 is done and gone, “then the miracle occurs. Like a switch being flipped, our weather warms dramatically. The lawns turn brown and watering our vegetables and plants is mandatory. The best weather in the nation takes hold for roughly 2-3 months.”
In fact, beginning Monday afternoon the skies clear. Temperatures in the mid-80s are expected by late week.
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