Local News

Western Washington residents flooded parks and picnic areas Sunday to take advantage of the glorious May weather.

But the sunny skies also led to a string of rescues and two deaths as adventurers took to area lakes and streams.

Jason Gordon used his Kindle to block the sun at South Lake Union Park on Monday. Temperatures hit 83 degrees Sunday afternoon at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, shy of the record 86. But the weather drew adventurers to waterways and led to two deaths in separate rafting accidents. (Photo by Mark Harrison / The Seattle Times)

Temperatures hit a high of 83 degrees around 4 p.m. at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, just a few degrees shy of the record of 86, set in 1953. And today’s warm temperatures are expected to continue through Monday, a date with a record high of only 79 degrees, set back in 1957.

“Today is much warmer than is typical, but we didn’t set any new records,” said meteorologist Josh Smith at the National Weather Service in Seattle. “But tomorrow, we almost certainly will.”

The blue-sky day brought kids to playgrounds and college students to area beaches and also led kayakers and rafters to hit nearby waterways.

On the Stillaguamish River along state route 530 in Snohomish County, authorities received calls from several people around 2:30 p.m. who said a raft had overturned dumping a man and a woman into the water. The county’s marine services unit sent out rescue divers who eventually found both victims. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital, according to Lt. Kathi Lang at the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Their names were not released.

An hour and a half later, Pierce County authorities started receiving calls about an accident on Spanaway Lake, where a 55-year-old man disappeared under water after another rafting accident. He is presumed dead, said Randy Stephens, assistant chief with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue.

Details of the accident were still unclear, but Stephens said that incident started about 3:50 p.m. when the man and two women were on either a raft or an inner tube that was being pulled behind a boat. Somehow the man fell off and disappeared under the water.

Pierce County Sheriff’s office sent out its dive team, which used specialized equipment to sweep the bottom of the lake. But by 5:15 p.m. it seemed increasingly unlikely that they would find the man alive, Stephens said.

“We’re moving from a rescue operation to a body recovery,” he said.

Northwest residents are urged to use caution in coming days, as the warm weather continues. Smith, at the weather service, said temperatures will remain high on Monday, and begin dropping into the 70s through the middle of the week with occasional scattered clouds. Highs may drop to the 60s by late week with rain not expected until at least Sunday.

Lately, Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction on Groundhog Day — that spring would come early — has been believable in the Pacific Northwest. But now the National Weather Service’s forecast for the first day of spring, Wednesday, includes rain, wind and a chance of snow showers at higher elevations in the Seattle area.

A midweek storm, a cold-air mass from Alaska and an unpredictable convergence zone could bring snow, hail and thunderstorms to the Puget Sound region Wednesday and Thursday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jay Albrecht.

An unstable air mass over the Seattle area Wednesday afternoon could create 40- to 50-mph-wind gusts and thunder. Later that night and Thursday morning, cold temperatures and erratic weather patterns could bring snow to Puget Sound areas as low as Seattle — but it isn’t expected to stick, Albrecht said.

But Albrecht, who lives in Everett, said with a convergence zone like ours, he’s always prepared for storms to bring something unpredictable.

“I’ve seen 8 inches of snow in late April with a convergence zone,” he said.

Chances of snow should dissipate Thursday by 11 a.m., but by the afternoon, the Seattle area may have to brace for another thunderstorm.

Rainwater pours into a storm drain on 17th Avenue Northeast at Lake City Way Northeast Wednesday morning.The rain is expected to ease later today, but it’s expected to get colder and there could be a dusting of snow north of Seattle Thursday night. (Photo by Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)

Hoping for a big snowfall down low this week? If you’re living in Seattle, chances are you’ll have to keep waiting.

Much of the Puget Sound Region is getting what you would expect, that typical Seattle rain, says National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Reedy. While temperatures are expected to drop, the intensity of the rain is expected to ease up today and that means  snow here isn’t likely.

People living around Everett and to the north and in the higher elevations might see a dusting of snow Thursday night. A few folks in Seattle might see a few flurries as well, Reedy said.

In the Seattle-area, expect temperatures around 48 degrees today, dipping to the mid 30s tonight. The rest of the week, daytime temperatures will hover around 40, Reedy said.

If you’re looking for snow, head to the mountains, where a winter storm warning has been issued from Snohomish County and north, with up to 15 inches of snow expected to fall.

A series of strong fronts will bring wind and heavy rain to Western Washington today and Monday,  leading the National Weather Service to issue a slew of warnings and watches.

A winter storm warning is in effect through midnight Monday for the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, where accumulations of 9 to 30 inches of snow are expected. The highway passes –- Stevens, Snoqualmie and White –- will get mostly snow today, but the precipitation is expected to change to rain on Monday, perhaps temporarily dashing the hopes of skiers.

With up to 2.5 inches of rain forecast for the lowland areas of Western Washington, the Weather Service warned landslide are possible, especially in areas where previous rain has soaked the ground. The heaviest rainfall is expected late this afternoon and late Monday morning, said NWS meteorologist Jay Neher. “There could be a break in the rain Monday night and Tuesday morning,” he said.

Flooding is possible by tonight on the Skokomish River,  in Mason County.

Through 10 p.m. today, winds of 25 to 40 mph are likely along the coast and in Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties, with gusts up to 60 mph.  High seas and gale-force winds are expected off the coast through 4 a.m. Monday.

At this point, the forecast for Thanksgiving calls for just a chance of rain, with heavy precipitation moving in Thursday night,.

Weather:  Today we’ll have patches of fog before 10 a.m., but otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 58.  Thanks to the time change, expect an early sunset at 4:45 p.m. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: Be careful out there in the fog this morning. Remember that the I-90 express lanes will be closed to all traffic at 10 a.m. for monthly maintenance. The map and cams.

Steve Ballmer in Israel: Microsoft’s chief executive is kicking off an international promotional tour of Windows 8 in Israel and meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The election countdown begins now: Tomorrow morning you can pick up a print version of The Seattle Times to get your “I Voted” sticker. Online during the main event, we’ll have live stats as the vote counts come in and live analysis from political columnist Danny Westneat. Be sure to tune in! If you still haven’t turned in your ballot, see our Election Guide for stories about each ballot item.

And speaking of elections: Be prepared to wait for those election results. More than 1.5 million ballots have been returned in Washington state, but with another 1.5 million or more expected in the run-up to Tuesday’s deadline, officials say they’ll only be able to report about 60 percent of the total vote on Election Day.

Our very own Jersey girl columnist Nicole Brodeur went home to Ocean City to assess the damage and morale.   Today she writes about residents who are keeping the faith. Yesterday, she reflected on the destruction and resilience.

A tanker fire is still burning in Federal Way, more than 24 hours after the truck was involved in a collision on I-5. Firefighters are letting it burn out.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Diver surprised by reaction to his octopus hunt
2. Leach rips players, but needs to look at himself, too | Bud Withers
3. Wilson throws three TD passes as Seahawks beat Vikings
4. Why you might pay twice for one visit to doctor
5. Op-ed: Rick Steves on why he is co-sponsoring Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana

National Weather Service / Forecast

Weather: Rain today and tomorrow. Highs both days around 55. There could be a sunbreak or two tomorrow, but don’t hold your breath.  The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: Motorists can expect heavy traffic around Seattle’s CenturyLink Field with 55,000 expected to attend the Washington Huskies’ homecoming game against Oregon State:  Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. Metro Transit is providing game shuttles from park-and-ride lots in Eastgate, Federal Way and South Kirkland, as well as the Northgate Transit Center. Traffic map and cams.

Mastros’ whereabouts unknown until recently: Fugitive couple Michael R. and Linda Mastro evaded law-enforcement officials until just a week or two before their Wednesday arrest in France, the U.S. Marshal for Western Washington says. The arrests were made possible after Michael Mastro had sought reimbursement from his U.S. insurance provider for medical care he received in France.

‘No-snitch’ street code: For months, JaeBrione Gary dodged participation in the prosecution of the alleged gang member who allegedly shot Gary in May. Police say the reluctance to participate in the criminal-justice system stems from a gang culture that abhors “snitches” and sees street justice as the preferred way to settle beefs.

Dems to give back donations: Washington State Democrats have decided to return $70,000 in campaign donations from JZ Knight, the founder of the Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment, because she had made vulgar comments about Mexicans, Jews, gays and Catholics.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Medical bill led authorities to Mastros, official says.

2. Boeing invites suppliers to conference on outsourcing to Mexico.

3. The Truth Needle: Details don’t add up in Times Co.’s McKenna ads.

4. Washington needs to beat Oregon State to salvage season/Steve Kelly.

5. Protesters steal the show at Seattle police gathering to explain intended use of drones.

Weather: There’s a 50-percent chance of showers today and tonight. Highs today and tomorrow will be around 50. Snoqualmie and Stevens passes are getting their first taste of snow this season so motorists should expect traffic delays.  The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The Highway 520 floating bridge is closed for construction between Montlake Boulevard and Interstate 405 until noon tomorrow.  Traffic map and cams.

TV for accused killer : Christopher Monfort, who is accused of killing Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton and wounding his rookie partner on Halloween night 2009, will become the first inmate at the King County Jail to have his own television set in his cell. Jail officials say the decision was made to combat Monfort’s severe isolation. But the Seattle Police Department and the officers’ union aren’t happy with the idea.

Candidates trade barbs: Congressional candidates Suzan DelBene and John Koster traded accusations during appearances Friday in two different television studios.

Duel in the desert: The Washington Huskies (3-3) kick off the second half of the season with a Saturday night game against Arizona that could be a swing game for the rest of the year. The Huskies need a win to avoid falling into a hole, especially with surprising Oregon State coming to town next week. 

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Spokane high-school kicker boots 67-yard field goal.

2. Early look at Windows 8 baffles consumers.

3. Central Valley’s Austin Rehkow kicks state-record 67-yard field goal/High school sports blog.

4. Seahawks can’t pass test against 49ers.

5. Seahawks bruised by 49ers in physical battle.

A cold front headed toward the Pacific Northwest this weekend could sink snow levels down to as low as 3,000 feet and dust a few inches onto Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass, according to the National Weather Service.

Not much accumulation is expected where it does snow, so it’s not likely to have a significant impact on traffic over the passes, according to weather-service meteorologist Dennis D’Amico. He also doesn’t think enough snow will drop to jump start ski season.

“They need a couple feet for the season to start,” D’Amico said.

Some snow already fell on Tuesday just above the road level of Stevens Pass, according to D’Amico. Temperatures near the passes will hover at or above freezing temperatures through the weekend and maybe longer, he said.

D’Amico said the entire region will be cooling down over the next week. Seattle will have intermittent showers over the weekend, especially on Saturday, and lows in the 50s, he said.

“We’re not looking at any big warm-up in the next week,” D’Amico said.

Rains that produced slick streets and highways around the Puget Sound area Sunday, contributing to numerous spin-outs and collisions,  are expected to take a break for the Monday morning commute, but pick up again by afternoon.

More than a half-inch of rain fell at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport between 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday, as the peak of the storm passed through, said Doug McDonnal of the Weather Service.

Heaviest rainfall  for the weekend was in the mountains, with about 7 inches falling in the Olympics, and 6 inches in the North Cascades, between midday Saturday to Sunday evening.

A new storm system, McDonnal said, is expected to bring rain and wind to the Puget Sound area by the time of the Monday evening commute.

Forecasts call for showers Tuesday, followed by partly sunny conditions Wednesday and Thursday before another round of showers arrives for the weekend.

The “chance” of rain that the National Weather Service said could keep Seattle from reaching a record dry spell has now become “likely.”

Rain showers could last a few hours late Sunday night and early Monday morning, according to meteorologist Dana Felton.

In order to set a new dry-spell record, Seattle would have to make it past Tuesday without measurable rain. The record for Seattle, set in 1951, is 51 days without measurable rain. If this summer doesn’t break the record, it’s at least already taken silver in the dry spell category.

Felton said the Seattle area should be back to sunny skies and warm weather by the middle of next week, though. He expects Wednesday temperatures to be the mid-60s and Thursday and Friday temperatures to be in the mid-70s. The extended forecast past that, which is much less definite, is for more dry, warm weather, he said.