It's windy!

[Anastasaeon]

I look out my window this morning, and see that most of the neighbours north of us have lost their power. Our own power has been flickering since early this morning.

Wind chimes are creating a senseless cacophony, the little wooden windmills from nearby lawns have been knocked over, all animals are tucked away safely inside. My cats are staring out the windows, wide-eyed and drooling, watching birds as they struggle against the gale.

Now if you'll excuse me, I feel like donning my spare nun's habit (hey, you never know) and letting the wind take me away. Perhaps I'll sing "Dominique-nique-nique"... wait. Wrong nun. Who cares?


Wheeee! Dominique-nique-niqueIl parcourt l'Europe a pied...

[Johnny L.A.]

Windy up here too, just below the Canadian border. It's been blowing for hours. I went outside a little while ago, and discovered (as I expected) that the temperature was relatively warm. My house is apparently in a fortunate location. My front yard is calm. But the tall cedars surrounding me are being lashed mightily. It was still dark when I looked down the road, so I couldn't see the state of Birch Bay. Couldn't even see if the tide was in or out. Last week as I took my walk I saw sea vegetation, pebbles and small rocks that had been blown across the road. I could see the road this morning (there's a street light) and it was dry. But then, there's a seawall there.

Lively weather! I wish I didn't have this cold, else I'd go out in it.

[Johnny L.A.]

The tide's in, and there are whitecaps in Birch Bay. Spray is blowing over the seawall, and the street is wet.

[A.R. Cane]

It was huffin' an puffin' all night down here at the bottom end. It's calm now. I lost a 60 ft. poplar tree last Sunday, still cutting it up. Supposed to be warmer and sunny all next week, it's about time.

[Savannah]

Windy up here too, just below the Canadian border. It's been blowing for hours.

And windy up here, just above the watery Canadian border. (Vancouver Island.) Last week's storms are back, and I'm sitting here wondering when the power's going to go off again. It was dark and cold when it did this past week. Luckily, we had enough hot water left in the tank for a quick shower for husband and self before work, but I went to the office sans breakfast and makeup. :) We're snuggled up to a hill, so somewhat sheltered, but it's still blowing like mad! If the power goes out, I'll leave the house and go storm-watching, I figure.

[picunurse]

I just heard the 520 bridge is closed because of the wind, ad most of the traffic signals are out..
Right now the bamboo outside my window is still. Islept until 9:30, did I miss the whole storm?

[pendgwen]

It's still windy here in the U district but not as crazy as it was during the night. The wind blowing through the trees was loud enough to wake me up several times. But no loss of electricity and nothing larger than a tree branch blown down.

[JThunder]

So who's that gal who's trippin' down the streets of the city?

[Johnny L.A.]

So who's that gal who's trippin' down the streets of the city?
Everyone knows it's Wendy.

[Savannah]

Our power's been flickering. Got my shower in, just in case, and I better make some tea before the powe

















:)

[Tikki]

Still very windy here near the airport (Sea-Tac) at the noon hour. For about ten minutes big, heavy ploppy rain drops were falling. Now the sky is lightening up as if the sun is trying to come out. Don't think it'll happen though.

The wind started about 1:00 last night. I've been having trouble sleeping lately so I listened to it for quite a while before drifting off for an hour or so. Then I woke up and listened to wind roar for a while more. Rinsed and repeated all night long.

Haven't been out yet to see what the wind's done. My own personal damage is that my outdoor thermometer got blown off its nail. If it's still working then it's a chilly 40 degrees out there.

Think I'll call my Dad to see if he wants to go to Costco. We can see what the damage in the greater Burien/Sea-Tac/Tukwila area is along the way. I might talk him into going to see if there's downed trees on the hillsides of Seahurst Park too.
I wonder if the flotsam has made to the roadway there as it did in Johnny L.A.'s area?

Well, the sun had beat a hasty retreat and it looks as if the rain will start again soon. Gee, I'm getting very tired of this weather. :(

[Anastasaeon]

picunurse, you probably slept through most of the rainy bits... that was coming down last night. I just sat in the front window and watched it pelt our car. Cool.

The 520... that's one of the Floating Bridges, right? I can antsy driving on either of those in good weather! I'm such a wuss. :D I always start thinking all paranoid... you see, I've never been in an earthquake before, so my mind has it all built up (though I'm reassured by the locals that it's more startling than scary - once you know what it is, you get in your doorway/under your table/in you bathtub and wait it out, no big deal - so they say now, anyway), so we'll be cruising along, and I start thinking, "damn, I hope an earthquake doesn't decide to hit now. That would so suck."
Though in the back of my mind, I know those things are damned sturdy, and probably sturdier than most buildings.
Actually, if The Big One were ever to hit, I'd want to in the Space Needle. That thing will not fall down. Unlike that made for TV movie they advertised a couple years ago. I kept shaking my head when they showed the Space Needle toppling over, and saying "nut uh" at my television. "10.5 my ass."

I'm hijacking my own thread with my mindless ramblings. Hmph. Well now I know how it feels.

The wind is dying down a bit here, but it's still rattling in my stove pipe thingy.

[Savannah]

Gee, I'm getting very tired of this weather. :(

It's been a long, dark, windy, wet, very wet winter. Normally, I'm okay with the rain, in fact I kind of like it in a drink tea, listen to music, and putter around the house in a sort of way. But I'm feeling a wee sodden.

Our power was out for about 20 minutes, but it's back now. Poor computer. The wind is still blowing like mad, and it must be far worse in unsheltered areas.

I was going to go for a ramble in Mill Hill Park (our back yard meets the park, so it's really nice to just walk into the woods and go!) this weekend, but no thanks.

Bring on the tea-drinking, radio-listening, and putter around the house Saturday, instead.

[picunurse]

There is a bright side to this. Usually, a windstorm this late in the winter is a harbinger of spring. We have crocus
It's been a long, dark, windy, wet, very wet winter. Normally, I'm okay with the rain, in fact I kind of like it in a drink tea, listen to music, and putter around the house in a sort of way. But I'm feeling a wee sodden.
Hey, that sounds like it could be the start of a novel! :D (It was a dark and .....) Nevermind....
When I was a kid, I loved to go out on really windy days, even in the rain. It made me think i could fly. If I just gave a little jump, off I'd go. But since I wasn't allowed to leave home without permission, I wouldn't jump. Flying might be fun, but not at the expence of my supper! :D

[Hunter Hawk]

The 520... that's one of the Floating Bridges, right? I can antsy driving on either of those in good weather! I'm such a wuss.
Yeah, it's the northern floating bridge. They close it when waves break over the top. The I-90 bridge tends to stay open, though.

There were a bunch of small branches down in the arboretum, and I saw one tree down (though I don't know if it came down in this storm or if I just hadn't noticed it before). I heard one guy say that one of the light poles at a sports field by Greenlake also came down.

[kaiwik]

Everyone knows it's Wendy.


pssshhhh......Everyone knows it's Windy!!!!!!

That song is from my childhood days, and I hate it. Yes, my name is Wendy.

Also I was born in Seattle and lived in the Puget Sound area for the first 29 years of my life. I know how the weather can rock and roll down there, I loved the wind storms. The floating bridges are fun when it's sloppy. You want scary? Try the bridge over the Columbia on a brisk day!

However, right now on my little Rock in the Gulf of Alaska it is blowing 50 mph with gusts of 80+ mph. At least the temperature is +34F, instead of the single digits and -20 wind chill of last week. The snow is blowing sideways, and Spring seems very far away.

[Ms Macphisto]

I've got water coming into my apartment. It faces southwest, the direction the wind's coming from, so it's dripping in around the windows, and the ceiling near the windows, which means at least some of it is coming from my upstairs neighbour's apartment. On the plus side, I've got an awesome view of the waves crashing up and over the Ogden Point breakwater. This (http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jools_78/detail?.dir=5730&.dnm=14b0re2.jpg&.src=ph) is actually from a few storms back, when it was windy but not raining so I could safely go out on my balcony without getting drenched, but you get the idea. I'm currently debating whether or not it's worth it to wander down to Dallas Road for a bit - I'll get very wet and very cold, but there are some very impressive waves going on.

[AuntiePam]

I always start thinking all paranoid... you see, I've never been in an earthquake before, so my mind has it all built up (though I'm reassured by the locals that it's more startling than scary -

I hated driving north through the tunnel or south on the 99 viaduct. (Is it still there? I heard they were going to tear it down.) For some reason, I never thought of earthquakes while on the bridges though. Guess I thought the car would float. :)

[Savannah]

On the plus side, I've got an awesome view of the waves crashing up and over the Ogden Point breakwater.

Condolences on the leakage. Any foolhardy souls on the breakwater today? I was thinking of driving to Ross Bay, but it was warm and cosy inside and dreadful outside, so I... didn't.

[pendgwen]

There was a report on the evening news about some poor family that had 8 trees fall on their house last night.

[Ms Macphisto]

Condolences on the leakage. Any foolhardy souls on the breakwater today? I was thinking of driving to Ross Bay, but it was warm and cosy inside and dreadful outside, so I... didn't.
I didn't see anyone. I think you'd have to be pretty much suicidal to head out on the breakwater today. I ultimately decided I could see enough out the window and just stayed inside where it was also warm and cosy.

As for the leakage, it's just a minor annoyance, especially compared to having a tree crash down on your house, or even a fence blowing over as happened to a co-worker in the last storm. At least the building management is aware of the problem, and they'll be inspecting the whole building for damage on Monday. Let's hope this is the last storm for a while. The waves are neat to watch, but enough is enough.

[Anastasaeon]

There was a report on the evening news about some poor family that had 8 trees fall on their house last night.

Oh, damn. :(

There's a huge tree down on 85th, a couple blocks from Caffe Fiore/Cocina Esperanza. I'm surprised it didn't do more damage, that thing is huge.

[Tikki]

Wow, I haven't had the news on all day so I didn't hear that. Poor people.

I like being on the 520 bridge in a windstorm. In a big ol' heavy Metro bus, at least. It's cool when the spray from the waves actually manages to hit the windows. SPLAT!

The neighbor cat just commanded that I let her in. I keep telling her that she doesn't live here but she has her own ideas. She's the outdoorsy type but even she has her limits as to how much wind and rain she can stand. My dining table (which I rarely use) and the nearby baseboard heater are vastly more appealing to her tonight.

However, Miss Priss has just decided it would be more fun to claw up my easy chair than to curl up on her table top sleeping mat. She may just find herself back out in the cold again with that attitude!

A.R. Cane, wow, a 60 footer! Hope the tree didn't hit anything. But hey, free firewood. Lots and lot of it!

It's around 7:30PM and the wind is still kicking up its heals. Brrrr!

[Tikki]

I ultimately decided I could see enough out the window and just stayed inside where it was also warm and cosy.



I miss having a view when there's extreme weather like this. Up until a year ago, I lived on Queen Anne Hill and had a terrific view of Capital Hill and Cascades beyond. I loved sitting by the window when there were wind and thunderstorms and when it snowed. I even had a perfect view of the Lake Union fireworks, though I couldn't see the lake itself. Now I have no view at all. Sometimes I wonder why I moved. :(

[Anastasaeon]

when it snowed.

So it does snow around here? I've only been here two years, and this past Christmas, I had to go to Leavenworth for snow!

Granted, there was a day of snow the first year I was here, and we lost power for a day, and people were freaking out and putting chains on tires and newscasters were warning everyone to stay inside... the next day it was all gone, and I was terribly confused. But this is the point of view of someone who spends four or five months of the year in snow and chains on tires are unheard of. :dubious:

[Tikki]

Yes, we get a little snow here on occasion. It can even last a whole day or two. Another thing I miss about my Queen Anne home was watching people trying to drive down our narrow side street in it. Our narrow, steep side street. That was good times.

Speaking of snow, I just heard Ross Reynolds (I think it was him) on KUOW say that we could get some in the morning. Then it's supposed to clear up, so it'll probably be gone by early afternoon. The wind is supposed to let up soon.

[racer72]

It huffed and puffed out hear in southeast King County but we didn't get any steady wind. I was out doing some errands this afternoon and it wasn't bad at all. I was expecting a lot worse based on the weather forecast.

[amarinth]

Though in the back of my mind, I know those things are damned sturdy, and probably sturdier than most buildings.One sunk when I was in high school. But that was a freak of nature (Really. it was the wind, rain, snow trifecta). We never have problems with bridges in Washington. (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/Connections/connections3.htm) Still, 520 can be fun in the wind.

I think I slept through most of it - and the power doesn't seem to have gone out, yet. I'm quite surprised.

I think I need to go stormwatching this year - maybe Tofino?

[Mooney252]

I was up in Stevens Pass today and it was blizzard conditions, with snow falling heavily and then being driven by 25-35 mph winds.

At 8 a.m. there was no wind in the pass; then before I left at 10 a.m. they were reporting 15 mph. At 10:30 the National Weather Service interrupted KMTT's broadcast with the first real ("this is not a test") emergency message that I've ever heard on the radio, warning of blizzard conditions in the Cascades through 10 p.m. Saturday night.

We followed a plow up the hill (and some jerk in a red Jeep with a Steelers wheel cover), then pulled into the parking lot and immediately chained the car, knowing that 10" later we'd need the help.

Conditions were a white-out most of the day, but it's real powder waiting there for the skiing when it finally does clear. People I ran into from Stanwood and even Lynwood didn't have power but we never lost it here in old Mukilteo.

Best regards,

Mooney252

[picunurse]

amarinth, actually we've had two floating bridges sink (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/SinkingBridges.htm). The Hood Canal bridge, and the I-90 bridge.

Anastasaeon, sometimes, it only snows on Queen Anne Hill. It's nearly 1000 ft above sea level. Yes, I did sleep through the storm, and I mean to do the same tonight.




Tikki I had SPLAT! on the windshield of my old Celica convertible on 520 a couple years ago. It was NOT fun. It was exciting in that "I'm probably going to die now" sort of way. I was the third to the last car to cross before the closed the gate.
I love watching storms too. We used to rent a cabin in Ocean Shores in the winter to watch the storms. It hard to fand any where you can actually see the beach from beside the fireplace by the window any more.

We just got back from a little trek in the wind. We went to the Sound Garden. (http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/magnuson/art.htm) I started a thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=357354) about it.

[Anastasaeon]

Grandmama up in Warm Beach didn't lose her power, but it "blew mightily" out there.

picunurse, between you and amarinth, you'll be giving me nightmares about sinking floating bridges! :eek: Though amarinth's link was reassuring. Thankfully, I usually only take the floating bridge when I need to go to Bellevue (or; hang-on-to-your-holy-shit-bar-these-people-can't-drive city. Yeah. And I live in Ballard, with Ballard drivers!). I only go to Bellevue to see my lawyer or the IRS. Thankfully, this is rarely.

AuntiePam: the tunnel is still there, if it's the one I'm thinking of. There's only one tunnel in the one viaduct, right? We used to go through it often when we lived in south Seattle, but now we only go through it if we're going to IKEA, or to see a baseball/football game. Frankly, it spooks me out a little bit, too. I didn't realise I was mildly claustrophobic until I drove through there. I try not to think too hard about it, though, and sometimes I enjoy it. I hate it on bright sunny days, though, for some reason. It cheapens the sun or something. I'm sure that makes no sense, but that's how it makes me feel. :smack:

[picunurse]

That would be the Battery Street tunnel (http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/roadwaystructures.htm)

Battery Street Tunnel
The Battery Street Tunnel is owned by Washington State and maintained by the Seattle Department of Transportation. Built in 1952, the tunnel is 3,140-feet-long and is made up of two separate tunnels, or "bores" that allow traffic to travel south and north bound along Highway 99. The Battery Street Tunnel is equipped with drainage, ventilation and fire suppression systems. SDOT maintains the tunnel on a regular basis.

[AuntiePam]

That would be the Battery Street tunnel (http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/roadwaystructures.htm)

Geez, lived there for 25 years and never knew the proper name. We just called it the Aurora tunnel. :) I really hated it, but 99 was the quickest way to get to mom's place.

Anastasaeon, where in south Seattle? We lived on Beacon Hill, on 15th Ave. S., not too far from the Columbian Way exit.

Have things calmed down today? Everybody have power so they can watch the game?

[Anastasaeon]

AuntiePam: We lived in Boulevard Park. I was really happy to move to Ballard. There wasn't much to do down there. I liked it perfectly fine while I was there, though, because I didn't know what the rest of the city was like. But the only things nearby was the liquor store, grocery store, a little thrift store (that always has clothes for $0.50!) and a whole lotta nail places. If I wanted to shop, I had to go to Burien.
Living a block from Market Street is a refreshing change, to say the least. Bookstores! Library! More bookstores! Archie McPhee's! Now where was I supposed to go if I wanted a rubber chicken down in Boulevard Park with no Archie McPhee's? Hmph.

As for the weather, my husband just commented, while gazing out the window, "The weather is weird." Here, there doesn't seem to be any breeze at all - not even the treetops sway. And according to the thermometre, it's 60 degrees on our patio. The sky is blue with only wisps of cloud.

Storm? What storm?

I gotta change out of my nun's habit and back into regular clothes now, if you'll excuse me. Fun's over. :p

[Tikki]

Finally made it to Costco this morning. It was soooo sunny! The car actually got too warm by the time we got out of there and we drove for a while with the windows open a bit. When I got home, I even opened my patio door to air out this stuffy, musty apartment. My sinuses are going to be so thrilled when I can keep that door open all the time. Hurry up, Spring!

Here's to a week of this kind of weather! (I hope, I hope.)

[Johnny L.A.]

Finally made it to Costco this morning. It was soooo sunny! The car actually got too warm by the time we got out of there and we drove for a while with the windows open a bit.
I talked to my ex-g/f in Hollywood today. She said it's pushing 80 down there.

[picunurse]

AuntiePam: We lived in Boulevard Park. I was really happy to move to Ballard. There wasn't much to do down there. I liked it perfectly fine while I was there, though, because I didn't know what the rest of the city was like. But the only things nearby was the liquor store, grocery store, a little thrift store (that always has clothes for $0.50!) and a whole lotta nail places. If I wanted to shop, I had to go to Burien.
Living a block from Market Street is a refreshing change, to say the least. Bookstores! Library! More bookstores! Archie McPhee's! Now where was I supposed to go if I wanted a rubber chicken down in Boulevard Park with no Archie McPhee's? Hmph.

As for the weather, my husband just commented, while gazing out the window, "The weather is weird." Here, there doesn't seem to be any breeze at all - not even the treetops sway. And according to the thermometre, it's 60 degrees on our patio. The sky is blue with only wisps of cloud.

Storm? What storm?

I gotta change out of my nun's habit and back into regular clothes now, if you'll excuse me. Fun's over. :p
You know, of course, the bad weather will be back as soon as you change? It was the habit that drove it away, silly! :D
Did you live near the Christmas house in Boulevard Park? I don't remember the street. I had a friend who lived a block away from it and the lights kept her awake at night. :eek: There was a news story about the owner. The power company had threatened to turn off his power if he didn't decrease usage. They said he could cause an area wide brown out.
Anyway, I'm rambling. I guess its the thread...

[JThunder]

pssshhhh......Everyone knows it's Windy!!!!!!

That song is from my childhood days, and I hate it. Yes, my name is Wendy.
Made your eyes flash, did it?

[Tikki]

Did you live near the Christmas house in Boulevard Park? I don't remember the street. I had a friend who lived a block away from it and the lights kept her awake at night. :eek: There was a news story about the owner. The power company had threatened to turn off his power if he didn't decrease usage. They said he could cause an area wide brown out.
Anyway, I'm rambling. I guess its the thread...

Picunurse, there used to be an Italian guy south of Boulevard Park, about 12th S and S 128th, I think. He and his family used to decorate and light up anything and everything that didn't try to get away. They would let you walk through their yard to see all the wonders they had created and I think they took donations for a charity too. Alas, about 6 or 8 years ago, the guy got cancer and it was announced that that would be the last year for the show. He died not too long after that. There was a very nice obituary in the paper telling about how much work he put into the shows and how much he enjoyed sharing it with the community.

I don't know if that's the same house you're thinking of but I thought I'd mention it.

AuntiePam: We lived in Boulevard Park. I was really happy to move to Ballard. There wasn't much to do down there. I liked it perfectly fine while I was there, though, because I didn't know what the rest of the city was like. But the only things nearby was the liquor store, grocery store, a little thrift store (that always has clothes for $0.50!) and a whole lotta nail places. If I wanted to shop, I had to go to Burien.

Living a block from Market Street is a refreshing change, to say the least. Bookstores! Library! More bookstores! Archie McPhee's! Now where was I supposed to go if I wanted a rubber chicken down in Boulevard Park with no Archie McPhee's? Hmph.


Anastasaeon, Burien is getting almost as bad as Boulevard Park, shopping-wise. It seems that nearly half the storefronts are empty nowadays and I know at least four stores and restaurants have closed just this month! Even the Dollar Store is no more! The city council is set on creating a new town center/mall in the area where the Lamont's used to be but it seems like nothing is really getting done. Dad says constuction is supposed to start this summer. We'll see...

Ballard is so cool for all its little stores. I love La Tienda with all its lovely artwork from around the world and I've always wanted to buy one of their xylophones. And Full Circle Gallery has wonderful and pretty yarns.

But of course, Archie McPhee is the best when you're looking for something fun! I always remember the time we drove past on the way to the locks and they were advertising in their window that they had a bridal registry. What a hoot! Wouldn't be fun to get boxing nuns, lava lamps, devil duckies and hand-shaped chairs for your wedding? And people who have only experienced Archie McPhee online or through their catalogue are really missing out. The store is so fun and funky.

Well, I've written this much without mentioning the weather. It's dark and it's dry. How's that? :)

[picunurse]

Tikki, that's the one. It was a couple years before that the the whole thing with the power company. I think what they did was to set up a separated service for the Christmas stuff.
The weather is here wish I were beautiful.*









*Apologies to Jimmy Buffet

[Lissa]

I hate it when it's windy, and dread whenever I see the weather report calls for wind over 15 MPH, because I know my dog will freak out.

It will start with heavy panting and progress to whining and shaking. Don't even think about trying to sleep on windy nights-- she won't let you.

My vet just gave me a third prescription for her. Pray God this works because I'm getting to the point where I'm snapping at her for it, and I feel bad because it's not her fault-- but, dammit, I'm tired. In the winter, in this area, it's windy very frequently. It was getting to the point where she'd wake us up at least three times a week.