Heat wave

We've had 9 days already this year with temperatures over 80 degrees. I can remember entire summers when we didn't have that many. Each month seems to set another new record for warmth.  Now they say it will be 90 in Seattle by Sunday. We are heat wimps here, so that sets off the "excessive heat warnings" on the news.

But 90 is unheard of in June, typically a cool and cloudy month. And it will be very hot across the mountains-- 100 degrees in Twisp. Is there any doubt the climate is getting warmer?  Last year's record summer was about +5F above normal, while 2014 was +3.7F above normal, and 2013 was +3.2F above normal. And so on.

Other than weather and the usual chores, it's been a slow news week in Seattle.  Oh, wait. The DOT reported yesterday that Bertha was "25% finished" with the 1.75 mile tunnel route.

 Under Seattle

To put our project in perspective,  Switzerland has been building the world's longest and deepest for the past 20 years.  It officially opened in the Swiss Alps yesterday. The Gotthard Base Railroad Tunnel is 35 miles long and 1,000 feet deep at some points.  It cost about 12 billion and was quite the engineering triumph. That seems like a bargain.  No one knows much our little tunnel will eventually cost, but some estimate 5 billion.