In the digest: the Navy’s Blue Angels will perform at Seafair in late July–early August; the week ahead is expected to bring sunny weather up to 27°C, worsening drought conditions across the region; the Seattle Seahawks club has been sold for $9.6 billion to new owners who plan to update the stadium but not meddle in football operations.
The “Blue Angels” return to Seattle: Seafair festival details
The Navy’s famed Blue Angels will once again take to the skies over Seattle in late July–early August 2026. Their performance will be the centerpiece of the traditional Seafair Weekend, which will be held on Lake Washington from July 31 to August 2. Organizers promise not only an exhilarating air show, but also the biggest water regatta, live music, food and treats, and plenty of activities for the whole family. Friday admission is free thanks to sponsorship by Windermere, while tickets are required for Saturday and Sunday.
According to information published by FOX 13 Seattle, the Blue Angels aircraft will fly over the city on Thursday, July 30, as part of two practice passes: from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Organizers warn that the practices are not guaranteed and that the timing may change. The main show will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. In addition to the Blue Angels, spectators will also see demonstrations of U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue operations, performances by the Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet, an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, and a rare PBY-5A Catalina seaplane, which will take off from the water. Aerobatics fans will enjoy routines by pilot Melissa Burns and the Yellow Thunder team. On Sunday at 3:20 p.m., before the main show, a Boeing 737-9 Freedom Plane flyover will take place.
For those who want to watch the show for free, organizers offer plenty of spots along Lake Washington, including Mount Baker Park, Coleman, Pritchard Island Beach, Stan Sayres Memorial Park, as well as areas on Mercer Island and in Bellevue. However, the official viewing area remains Genesee Park and Playfield. Tickets are sold under several options: a three-day “Champion Pass” for $134.38 (including access to the pit zone), “Weekend” tickets for adults and seniors, as well as single-day tickets. Children under 12 get in free any day. It’s worth noting that information about the entertainment program (music and other activities) has not yet been published—it will be posted on Seafair’s website closer to the event.
The return of the Blue Angels is not only a dazzling spectacle, but also an important Seattle tradition that draws thousands of tourists and gives a boost to the local economy. For those unfamiliar with aviation terminology: the PBY-5A Catalina is a legendary World War II-era flying boat capable of landing on water; the F-35B is a modern fighter-bomber with vertical takeoff; the AH-64 Apache is the primary attack helicopter of the U.S. Army; and Microjet is a small jet aircraft for demonstration flights. The Seafair festival traditionally combines water racing, aviation, and city recreation, so it’s worth planning your trip in advance and choosing a convenient viewing spot.
A sunny week in Seattle: up to 80 degrees, but drought worsens
Seattle residents should get ready for real summer weather: this week, forecasters promise sunshine and temperatures up to 80°F—around 27°C. But there’s a downside to all that cheer as well: the region continues to suffer from a lack of precipitation, and the drought situation is only getting worse. As FOX 13 Seattle reports in its story Seattle weather: sunshine and 80 degrees expected this week, last winter turned out to be unusually light on snow, with rainfall below normal. That immediately affected the snowpack, which serves as an important reservoir of moisture for the warmer months. Right now, unusually dry conditions are being recorded across western Washington, while the eastern part of the Cascades is already dealing with moderate to severe drought, and a small area near Omak is even experiencing extreme drought. That means the lack of water is becoming a serious problem for agriculture, ecosystems and household use.
What is behind these conditions? The main culprit is the so-called ridge of high pressure. This is an area in the atmosphere where air sinks, preventing cloud formation and precipitation. It is precisely this ridge that is currently settling over the region and will bring clear skies and a gradual rise in temperatures. After a pleasant weekend, when temperatures hovered around 70–75 degrees, Monday will kick off a warming trend: midweek, the air could reach 80°F, though brief showers and even thunderstorms are possible in the mountains. However, the main lowland area will remain dry.
The key point here is not just a pleasant weather picture, but a worrying signal. The lack of rain and melting snow (which isn’t much to begin with) intensify the drought, which can affect water supplies, increase the risk of wildfires, and further strain natural resources. According to forecasters, unusually dry conditions are present across much of western Washington, while in the east drought is already locally at the “extreme” level. That means farmers may face water shortages for irrigation, and everyday residents may face restrictions. And while the sunny warmth will be enjoyable this week, the long-term consequences of this weather should give people pause.
What could the Seattle Seahawks look like under new ownership?
News that the estate of Paul Allen had agreed to sell the Seattle Seahawks club for $9.6 billion to tech billionaire Vinod Hosla and his family has raised many questions about the future of a team that has just won the Super Bowl. The deal amount breaks the NFL record— the previous high was $6.05 billion for the Washington Commanders in 2023. But the uniqueness is not only in the price: for the first time in league history, a team is being sold immediately after winning the championship. As Dick Fain of Seattle Sports Radio KJR notes, teams are usually sold when there are problems—needing a new general manager, president or head coach. But the Seahawks don’t need that. Experts broadly agree that the Hosla family will likely not interfere in football operations, leaving leadership in the hands of general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike McDonald. Instead, the new owners will focus on the business side of things.
First up, likely, will be an update to Lumen Field. The stadium’s lease runs through 2032, and Fain believes the arena would benefit from renovations and an increase in capacity by 5,000–10,000 seats—especially if Seattle wants to contend for hosting the Super Bowl again. “What we saw at the World Championships showed: this city is absolutely capable of hosting the Super Bowl,” he emphasized. But fans also have worries: Hosla is not from Seattle and has no direct ties to the region, unlike the Allen and Nordstrom families. Talk of the stadium lease expiring and an outside owner naturally raises concerns about the team relocating. But in Fain’s view, those fears are unfounded: “This is a completely different situation than with Clayton Bennett and the Sonics, or Jeff Smulyan and the Mariners. This team isn’t going anywhere.” Moving a franchise would require approval from owners of other NFL clubs, who rarely agree to do so in successful markets.
In a statement on behalf of the Hosla family, Vinod Hosla acknowledged that they will have to earn the trust of the organization and the fans, and expressed hope to continue the “winning legacy of Paul Allen.” Head coach Mike McDonald, meanwhile, said at a charity golf tournament that he is happy, but “nothing changes on our end”—that this is an important chapter in Seahawks history, and that he’s glad to meet everyone. The NFL is expected to approve the deal at its August meeting, ESPN reports. For now, the key takeaway is this: under the new owners, the team will likely keep its current football structure, with changes affecting the stadium and business processes—so there’s no need to fear a move.
