Seattle has been hit by anomalous June heat, breaking temperature records and coinciding with the city’s first World Cup match. Meanwhile, Community Transit has ended suburban bus service to Seattle and retired the iconic double-decker "Double Tall" buses, shifting to new forms of service.
Farewell to the "Double Talls": Community Transit Ends Bus Service to Seattle
Last Friday afternoon marked an event that signals the end of an era in the Puget Sound region’s transit history. The final trip of Route 424 departed Seattle for Snohomish, becoming the closing chapter in Community Transit’s suburban bus service to Seattle. The move means the agency that for nearly half a century connected Snohomish County with the state’s largest city will fully transition to other types of service.
Community Transit’s story began in 1976, when the organization—created to serve the suburbs—launched just seven local routes. By the following year the system had grown to 15 local and 16 commuter routes linking the county with downtown Seattle. Interestingly, until 1989 those routes were operated under contract with King County Metro. Over decades, the commuter buses moved millions of passengers, connecting Snohomish with downtown Seattle, the University of Washington, and the Northgate area. One of the brightest chapters in Community Transit’s history was the use of the Double Tall double-decker buses. As the Seattle Transit Blog notes, Community Transit was the second transit agency in the U.S. to deploy these vehicles: a pilot began in 2007 and by 2011 twenty-three double-deckers were in service. They could carry up to 77 seated passengers and helped solve limited layover space during peak hours in downtown Seattle.
Martin Munguia, senior public relations manager for Community Transit, said some days more than 100 people rode a single double-decker. However, as ridership patterns changed—from peak-only runs to all-day service—such high capacity per trip became less necessary. Over the next decade Community Transit plans to retire the double-decker fleet as the vehicles age. Still, Munguia noted that fans of double-deckers need not despair: Sound Transit is already purchasing electric double-decker buses for its future Stride BRT routes. So the era of the "Double Talls" on Community Transit lines is ending, but double-decker buses will continue to operate in the region under a different brand and with zero tailpipe emissions.
Seattle Weather Surprises: The Hottest Days in the City’s History Occurred in June, Not Mid‑Summer
Seattle residents, accustomed to a mild maritime climate, got an unexpected meteorological lesson: according to KOMO, the city’s most extreme temperatures were recorded not in July or August but in June. Analyzing long-term records from the National Weather Service in Seattle, journalists found that a record 108°F (about 42.2°C) was reached on June 28, 2021, and the day before thermometers hit 104°F (40°C). See the article "Stats show the hottest days in Seattle have been during June."
Seattle’s weather history holds other surprises. The earliest-in-the-year 90°F (32.2°C) reading in western Washington was recorded on May 17, 2008. But the June 2021 heat wave was truly historic: the University of Washington confirmed the city experienced three consecutive days above 100°F (37.8°C)—an event never before observed since measurements began. By comparison, only four such days had been recorded in the city’s entire prior history.
This statistic takes on special meaning given the current weather situation: in mid‑June many parts of the region have already faced a mini-heat wave with temperatures climbing into the 90s. The city even issued a heat advisory in connection with the World Cup match. As one resident noted during the historic 2021 heat "dome," such weather is completely abnormal for the Northwest and is experienced as a shock.
The most tragic aspect of these climate anomalies was their toll on human health. Estimates put the deadly 2021 heat’s death toll at around 600 people across Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. This sobering fact underscores that early-season heat is far from harmless. To explain the phenomenon, a "heat dome" is a powerful atmospheric event in which a high-pressure area acts like a lid, trapping hot air and preventing it from dispersing, leading to extremely high temperatures for an extended period.
Because astronomical summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, the current heat is a wake-up call to prepare. Residents are advised to use this early heat wave as a check of their readiness for the hotter months: ensure air conditioners work, stock up on water, and plan for what to do if extreme conditions recur. The data are clear: in Seattle—a city associated with rain and coolness—June can be far more dangerous than mid‑summer.
Record Heat Hits Seattle on Day of City’s First World Cup Match
Seattle is gearing up for a historic event—the city’s first-ever World Cup match, scheduled Monday between Belgium and Egypt. But the soccer celebration could be overshadowed by extreme heat: the National Weather Service is warning residents and visitors of anomalous heat. Forecasters strongly recommend fans drink extra water, wear hats, and consider carrying water misters to avoid overheating at the stadium and while walking around the city.
According to The Seattle Times, meteorologist Dustin Guy said Monday’s weather will be very similar to Sunday, when Sea-Tac Airport set a new record for the day at 88°F (about 31°C). The previous record was 86°F (30°C). Temperatures near 90°F (32–33°C) are expected—highly uncharacteristic for the region. The warming is driven by a persistent dry, warm air mass that has stalled over Western Washington.
Fortunately, the heat will be short-lived. Temperatures will begin to fall gradually by Tuesday and return to values more typical for mid‑summer. By Wednesday, highs are expected to drop to around 70°F (21°C). However, forecasters predict another, less intense, heat surge beginning Thursday, with readings climbing back to 77–82°F (25–28°C). The chance of precipitation for the week is considered very low.
Nighttime temperatures are a particular concern. Along the I‑5 corridor from Everett to Olympia, low temperatures Monday and Tuesday nights may only drop to about 65°F (18°C). That means the city won’t cool off much overnight, which can be dangerous—especially for people without air conditioning or those experiencing homelessness. In response, cooling centers run by the Salvation Army, YMCA of Greater Seattle, and other community organizations are open across Seattle and nearby areas, where anyone can seek relief from the heat. In this weather it’s especially important to remember the risk of heat stroke and to check on others.
