June 2015 will was one for the weather record books, which use recorded temperatures and rainfall at SeaTac airport for reporting purposes.
According KOMO News Weather Producer Scott Sistek, it was the 4th driest June on record. The average high temperature was 78.9 degrees, shattering the typical average June high temperature of 69.9 degree by a long shot.
And the 13 days in June where it was warmer than 80 degrees is also a new record. And that’s just at SeaTac. Typical temperatures in the Snoqualmie Valley usually trend warmer than in Seattle.
With little in the way of winter snowpack in the mountains, the City of Snoqualmie reported last week that the Snoqualmie River was down more than 60% of its usual flow for this time of year. And with rain nowhere in the long-range weather forecast and hot temperatures continuing, the city is asking residents to be mindful of their water usage.
The below video offers an idea of how the Snoqualmie River flows during a January 2015 flood event and during this recent period of record dry, hot weather – so from one weather extreme to another.
The difference in Snoqualmie Falls, January 2015 to July 2015:
4th of July Concerns
With the 4th of July holiday weekend just days away, fireworks sales underway and extremely dry conditions across the Snoqualmie Valley, both the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie are asking citizens to forgo lighting fireworks and to attend public displays.
But, if you plan to light fireworks, fire officials offer this advice:
- Keep a hose and fire extinguisher nearby to extinguish stray fireworks.
- Discharge fireworks in a hazard-free distance of at least 30 feet on all sides of structures, dry grass, brush, or debris of any nature.
- Use a bucket of water for already discharged fireworks.
Fireworks are legal this year in North Bend, Snoqualmie and unincorporated King County ONLY on July 4th from 9AM to midnight. The City of Snoqualmie says violations will be strictly enforced, with both police and fire departments out in local neighborhoods promoting a safe 4th of July.
The Snoqualmie Police Department Asks Snoqualmie and North Bend Residents to Call 911 to report the following fireworks laws violations:
- Legal fireworks may only be discharged on July 4th from 9AM to midnight. Fine: $124
- No fireworks may be possessed or discharged in any public park. Fine: $124
- Use of illegal fireworks explosives can bring a fine of $5,000 and/or one year in prison.
Illegal fireworks include fire crackers, bottle rockets, missiles, rockets, and M80s. A fireworks ban in Snoqualmie is effective in February 2016.
For more information on Fireworks Laws HERE.
