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Overnight Storm Batters Western Washington

Seattle Weather Storm 2025

A powerful storm swept through Western Washington overnight, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that toppled trees, downed power lines, and left more than 130,000 customers without electricity as of Tuesday morning.

The storm, which peaked Monday night, unleashed wind gusts of up to 70 mph in some areas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The highest recorded gust was in Hoquiam, reaching 70 mph, while Boeing Field saw gusts of 60 mph. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded a 52 mph gust—just shy of the February record of 53 mph set in 2008.

Widespread Power Outages

Utility companies across the region reported significant outages, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the dark. Puget Sound Energy had the highest number of reported outages, with more than 112,000 customers affected. Seattle City Light reported over 18,000 outages, and Peninsula Light Company said more than 8,000 customers in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula were without power.

A breakdown of outages as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday included:

  • Seattle City Light: 18,332 customers
  • Puget Sound Energy: 112,062 customers
  • Snohomish PUD: 6,756 customers
  • Tacoma Public Utilities: 1,199 customers
  • Peninsula Light Company: 8,100 customers

Officials warned that restoration efforts could take time as crews work to clear debris and repair damaged power lines.

Downed Trees and Road Closures

Numerous reports of fallen trees and power lines disrupted travel across Western Washington. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) issued a traffic alert, listing several locations blocked by downed trees, including:

  • NW 84th St & 1st Ave NW
  • SW Orchard St & Dumar Way SW
  • 47th Ave SW between SW Alaska St & SW Oregon St
  • 2nd Ave W between W McGraw St & W Boston St
  • 31st Ave SW & SW Myrtle St

In Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle near Aurora Avenue North and Whitman Place North, trapping three people inside. Seattle Fire Department crews responded quickly, using chainsaws to remove the tree and free the occupants. All three individuals were in stable condition, officials said.

School Delays and Closures

The storm’s impact extended to schools, with several districts delaying the start of classes due to power outages and hazardous conditions.

  • Highline and Northshore school districts: Two-hour delay
  • Vashon Island School District: 1.5-hour delay
  • McAuliffe and Smith elementaries (Lake Washington School District): Two-hour delay
  • Edmonds College: Closed due to power outages

Strongest Winds Expected to Subside

The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning through 10 a.m. Tuesday for Aberdeen, La Push, Queets, Bremerton, Seattle, and Tacoma. Winds are expected to gradually decrease throughout the day, though additional power outages and falling trees remain a concern.

Peak wind gusts recorded overnight included:

  • Aberdeen: 70 mph
  • Astoria: 68 mph
  • Destruction Island: 67 mph
  • Seattle and Olympia: 52 mph

Residents are urged to stay cautious of fallen power lines and debris, avoid unnecessary travel, and check with local utilities for outage updates.

This storm is a stark reminder of the Pacific Northwest’s winter weather volatility. Crews continue working to restore power and clear roadways as communities recover from the storm’s impact.

Stay safe, Seattle!

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Seattle Residents Advised to Brace for an Imminent Heat Wave

Seattle Weather Heat Wave

In the next few weeks, Seattle and the surrounding areas of Western Washington will see the highest temperatures of the year. Temperatures in Puget Sound may soar into the 90s for four days in a row. Sadly most people in the affected areas do not have access to air conditioning, making the current heat wave a serious threat to their health.

Currently, the highs are in the middle 70s, so take advantage of the nice weather while we have it. The weather is expected to remain the same in the next few days. It will be mostly bright in Puget Sound on Monday morning since clouds will be confined to the inland areas and the coast. Weather forecasters predict that Seattle will reach the mid-80s in the coming days.

The Pacific Northwest will see stifling temperatures beginning on Tuesday. High pressure, a “thermal trough,” and north/northeasterly winds all combine to create searing temperatures. From Tuesday through Friday, highs might reach into the 90s, approaching record highs. This implies that sleeping conditions will be quite unpleasant, and on top of that, the danger of heat-related diseases will increase dramatically.

Be very careful with the young and the old; they are most susceptible to harm. Never leave anybody, including dogs, in a parked automobile while the sun is out. Remember that the water in local rivers, creeks, and lakes is still too cold to swim in.

Keeping Cool and Safe During a Heat Wave

The United States, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom are among the nations now experiencing severe heat waves. As Americans struggle with the heat, experts have shared their advice on how to stay cool and protect yourself and your loved ones without breaking the bank.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

  • Seek Cover. A word of caution: don’t spend too much time outdoors. If you’re trying to beat the heat, getting inside a cool building is your best bet. More than 700 individuals every year lose their lives to what may be avoided heat-related ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Eric Goldberg, medical director of NYU Langone Internal Medicine Associates, says that the body’s capacity to regulate heat is diminished by exposure to heat or high temperatures over an extended period of time. This has the potential to ultimately render sweating, the body’s principal cooling mechanism, useless.
  • Use Fans If You Can. However, A/C capacity should not be exceeded. Box fans or ceiling fans may give additional respite for homes that wish to preserve energy during hot days but do not want to utilize air conditioning. According to Hippo’s resident home care expert Chris Janiak, spinning ceiling fans counterclockwise may generate a cooler breeze by forcing air to the floor.
  • Dress in Light Airy Garments. The clothes you wear may make a big difference if your job requires you to spend time outdoors or in high temperatures. Although it goes against common sense, shedding extra layers when facing the sun won’t help you feel any cooler.
  • Keep Internal Doors Open. It is possible to reduce the amount of heat entering the house via the windows by closing the blinds and drapes. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by carefully controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a home via its windows, you may save heating and cooling costs by as much as 77 percent.
  • Hydrate Regularly. Staying hydrated is crucial for your health and safety in hot weather. Additionally, consume alcohol in moderation at this time.

There are cooling centers and other buildings in Seattle where you may get out of the heat and relax while your air conditioner is running if you don’t have one at home.

Remember to drink plenty of water. Extreme heat can be potentially lethal. Residents are urged to prioritize their health and that of their loved ones.

Photo: “water sprinkler” by Leonard J Matthews is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

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Wet and Cold Seattle Gaining the Admiration of a Drought-Stricken World

Seattle Sunshine Weather

Seattle is indeed the admiration of a globe afflicted by a severe water shortage. Everyone in this area is aware of the chilly months of June through January and the fact that the official start of summer is on July 5.

However, this year is just rainy and chilly. We’ve apparently passed through spring completely. Long underwear during Little League games or a down jacket in the backyard are obvious targets for grouses. However, given the alternative, it may be appropriate to show some appreciation.

Excessive heat and a lingering drought are wreaking havoc throughout the globe, including in parts of California. Franklin County, for example, is located in southeast Washington.

There is now a severe drought that affects all inhabitants, 62,999 acres of wheat, and 34,623 livestock in the area. This has resulted in stunted crops, more wildfires, and greater difficulty feeding cattle. According to the United States Census Bureau, Franklin County has a population of 98,000.

Even in the worst-case scenario of drought, no one in King County will be affected. Actually, it’s been a great season for skiers. To put this into perspective, in King County there are only 14 acres of wheat compared to 11,000 cattle.

Heat isn’t an issue in the Seattle region, at least not just yet. We’ve already absorbed more rain than is average for the month of May, and it’s still raining. On the 13th of April, Olympia had its lowest temperature ever recorded: 28 degrees.

Others are envious of our ability to get rain. Drought conditions have gripped large swaths of California and the Southwest. Hydropower production is at risk as reservoir levels fall to unprecedented lows. People with backyards are being urged to turn off their sprinklers by water regulators. This isn’t a big deal in Seattle, where yellow lawns seem to be a staple of summer for decades.

Although summer officially begins on June 21, parts of the southern Plains and the Midwest are already seeing temperatures that are approaching record highs. Much of the Western United States is on fire. This was a year without spring for both India and Pakistan.

While May and June are often the hottest months of the year, this year saw record-breaking temperatures in March and April. Recognizing the atmospheric dangers of the rest of the globe will not make it easier around here to ruin your BBQ or damp outdoor wedding.

For the second time in as many years, we’re experiencing a La Nina year. It’s hard to say what the weather might be like following this chilly period. On June 28 of last year, the temperature reached an all-time high of 108 degrees. According to the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, human activity has caused the area to continue to warm.

The heat won’t be an issue for long. Now, let’s be grateful for the cool weather and rain. It is a blessing to be working and living in Seattle at this time of the year.

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Seattle Dry Streak Is Over

The rain hit Seattle on Sunday thus breaking our dry streak.  It was an impressive attempt, however, lasting 48 days

Seattle Dry Streak Is Over

The rain hit Seattle on Sunday thus breaking our dry streak.  It was an impressive attempt, however, lasting 48 days in a row.  The dry streak was the 2nd longest record in Washington.  51 days is the longest if you’re wondering and that was in 1951.  At this point we will have to go after the record next year.  The National Weather Service says the rest of the week should bring back the sunshine.  After long dry streaks and a mild case of rain it does bring out the oil on the roads so be careful out there many drivers have reported issues on the roads this morning.

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