Summer heat with thunderstorms is expected in Seattle this week. The city is also vying to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The unprofitable South Lake Union streetcar continues to draw criticism over its high operating costs.
Summer heat and possible thunderstorms in Seattle this week
This week, Seattle residents and the rest of western Washington can expect truly summertime weather—sun, warmth, and even the risk of thunderstorms, which are especially high east of the Cascades. Meteorologists with FOX 13 Seattle warn that a high-pressure area settled over the region will bring clear skies and warm the air to the 80s Fahrenheit (about 27–30 °C) across the western part of the state, while temperatures in central and eastern areas could approach 100 °F (about 38 °C). This heat combined with the possibility of thunderstorms dramatically raises wildfire risk, especially beyond the Cascades, where it is already dry and hot. In an article on FOX 13 Seattle, it is noted that forecasters have already rated the fire threat as elevated: a thunderstorm may bring not only rain, but also dry lightning capable of igniting grass and forested areas.
The good news is that by Thursday, a cold front will move in toward the coast—a low-pressure system that will bring heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures will return to more typical seasonal values, but only for a short time: by the weekend, high pressure will regain strength, and thermometers will again show up to around 80 °F. That means residents should be prepared for a sudden midweek shift in conditions: after several days of summer heat, it could suddenly cool off and start raining—but by Saturday, the warmth will return. For those who aren’t used to the area’s weather swings, it’s worth remembering that a “high-pressure area” is a region of steady clear, warm weather, while a “low-pressure area” is a cyclonic system that often brings precipitation and wind. “Isolated thunderstorms” are individual storm cells that may form in an unstable air mass and affect only certain locations.
Most importantly, what to take away from this forecast is the risk of fires. Thunderstorms without rain—or with only small amounts of precipitation—can easily ignite dry vegetation, especially in Central and Eastern Washington. Residents of these areas, and anyone planning to spend time outdoors, should exercise extra caution: don’t start campfires, don’t throw cigarette butts, and keep an eye on updates from local agencies. Seattle’s heat may not be record-breaking, but it still requires attention: on hot days it’s best to stay in the cool, drink more water, and never leave children or pets in closed cars. Overall, the workweek promises to be sunny and very warm, and Thursday will bring the long-awaited relief and freshness—even if it comes with a thunderstorm risk. By the weekend, nature will switch back to “summer mode,” giving residents a great chance to enjoy the end of August to the fullest.
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Seattle bids to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup
At the end of December, when fans’ attention was focused on the current tournament, FIFA released bids to host the Women’s World Cups of 2031 and 2035. The only bid for 2031 came jointly from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. A formal vote still needs to be held, but it is all but guaranteed that the women’s tournament will be held in the United States for the first time since 2003. The bid includes 20 potential host cities, among them Seattle, noted for its long history of supporting women’s soccer and women’s sports more broadly. Local organizers for the men’s World Cup 2026 have already begun publicly discussing the possibility of hosting the women’s tournament as well.
As noted in an article on Sounder at Heart, the vote on the bid was initially scheduled for April, but was postponed due to the Trump administration, which refused to sign the required guarantees while trying to pressure FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation to adopt a so-called “draconian” policy targeting transgender athletes. It remains unclear whether either side will give in before November, when a FIFA congressional meeting is expected to take place. As for other aspects of the diplomatic shopping list, Canada—after hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2015 on its own—decided not to join the joint bid so as not to create the impression that major federations are dominating, and in the end the United States and Mexico invited smaller CONCACAF countries.
The bid includes 41 potential stadiums, but only 20 cities are described in detail—and Seattle is among them. Selection criteria relied heavily on existing infrastructure and materials used for the men’s World Cup 2026 bid, as well as on geographic diversity. The likelihood that Seattle will truly make the final list of cities is very high. For broadcast purposes, organizers need to schedule matches across time zones, and on the West Coast there are only a handful of contenders: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Seattle stands out thanks to its geographic isolation and could draw fans from across the Pacific Northwest—especially if Canada plays in the city. In addition, strong reviews of the stadium and organization received during the men’s tournament in 2026 would be a major plus during selection.
It’s worth noting that Portland is not included in the bid, even though its Providence Park stadium holds more than 20,000 spectators—the minimum threshold for the women’s tournament. Perhaps Portland-area residents decided not to participate themselves, recognizing that their neighbor Seattle would overshadow them. The number of host cities will grow as the tournament expands to 48 teams, meaning more venues will be needed than ever. The expectation is that the United States will have at least 8 cities, and maybe more—though of nearby competitors such as Baltimore and Washington, only one will likely be selected.
As for the atmosphere, it will be similar to the men’s tournament: all pitches with natural grass, fan zones, bar parties, and plenty of traveling supporters. However, tickets will likely remain significantly more affordable than for the men’s tournament. Historically, Women’s World Cup tickets have been cheap. For example, in 2019, a package for the semifinals and final in France started at 50 euros, and in 2023 a ticket for the final in Australia could be purchased for 40 Australian dollars. While interest in women’s soccer is growing and sponsorship money is increasing, it is unlikely that prices will reach the astronomical levels of the men’s World Cup 2026. You’ll be able to find out whether Seattle makes the final list no earlier than the end of 2027, when after the bid is approved, a multi-stage selection process will begin. For now, the best way to help the city is to keep actively attending women’s soccer matches in Seattle.
The unprofitable South Lake Union streetcar: even rising ridership doesn’t cover the costs
Seattle city officials report that ridership on the South Lake Union streetcar line increased in 2025 by 26% compared with 2024. However, KIRO Newsradio’s host John Curley called the transit “a total waste of money,” despite the positive trend. In an article on MyNorthwest.com, he breaks down the numbers and concludes that each boarding ticket costs city taxpayers $20, while the average passenger trip is just 800 yards (about 730 meters).
The streetcar connecting Westlake and the South Lake Union neighborhood carried nearly 250,000 people in 2025. That’s a major jump from the pandemic-era drop in 2020 (90,000), but it’s still half of 2019, when more than 500,000 passengers used the line. Curley points out an important nuance: Seattle’s population has grown by roughly 9% since 2019, so returning to pre-pandemic levels is not a win—it’s more a sign of stagnation. If in 2019 an average of 18 people rode the streetcar per hour, then today, even with population growth, that same level means a relative decline in popularity.
Curley’s main argument is the enormous cost of operations. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reports that maintaining the line costs the city about $4.5 million per year. With an average daily ridership of 500 passengers, that works out to a $20 subsidy for each passenger. The route length is only 1.3 miles (about 2 km). The host adds, with irony: essentially, taxpayers are paying twenty dollars so that someone can ride a streetcar for a distance that can be walked in ten minutes.
Skepticism is also driven by the method used to count passengers. Curley notes that SDOT does not rule out malfunctions of the electronic counters above the doors—meaning the data could be inflated. “Even if 500 people really do get on the streetcar every day, that’s 500 times $20 per ride for an 800-yard trip,” the host says. He has previously urged Seattle Mayor Cathy Wilson to get rid of the route as useless, and the new figures only strengthen his case.
The article raises a broader issue: how to evaluate public transit performance in the post-pandemic era. Ridership growth by itself can be misleading if you don’t account for changes in population, employment patterns, and travel models. In the case of the South Lake Union streetcar, even returning to 2019 levels amid a larger population means a relative decline. The astronomical cost of upkeep for low ridership calls into question the justification for routes like this. At the same time, streetcar supporters argue that it helps develop the area and serves as an alternative to car traffic, but Curley and his listeners clearly find those arguments unconvincing.
In the original article on MyNorthwest.com, the author notes that he discussed it directly with the mayor: “In his interview to MyNorthwest.com he said the streetcar remains a total waste of money.” For now, Seattle residents continue to pay $20 for every minute spent on a streetcar that still hasn’t become truly in-demand transit.
