Scene & Heard: the end of 2022 was wild, wet and wooly

Published 1:30 am Thursday, January 5, 2023

Last week, Vashon experienced some of the highest King Tides in memory for many islanders, as low-lying beach neighborhoods and roads were inundated with water.

The tides, which rolled in on Dec. 27 and 28, swamped many island locations including those pictured here on Quartermaster Harbor, Governor’s Row, Ellisport and Manzanita Beach.

This all happened after a brutal but mercifully brief ice storm quite literally stopped the Northwest in its tracks on Dec. 22 and 23, and other cold and stormy weather stalled air traffic nationwide, upsetting holiday plans for many islanders.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), perigean spring tides, which happen when the moon is either new or full and closest to the earth, are also expected to occur between Jan. 18-26 and Feb. 18-21.

In January, some locations are expected to have their highest tides of 2023. Stay dry and warm, Vashon!