Meteor Shower Expected Over Seattle Tuesday Night as Rain Breaks
Seattle residents may get a rare glimpse of a celestial event on Tuesday night as a brief lull in the city’s usual drizzle could provide clearer skies for the annual Leonid meteor shower. The shower, which peaks on the night of November 17, is associated with debris from comet 55P/Tempel‑Tuttle and typically produces dozens of bright streaks per hour under favorable conditions.
According to the National Weather Service, a short‑lived high‑pressure ridge is expected to move across western Washington late Tuesday evening, reducing cloud cover for a few hours between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. While the region will likely remain cool, with temperatures in the mid‑40s Fahrenheit, the anticipated break in precipitation could allow observers to see meteors streaking across the sky without the usual light‑pollution haze.
Experts note that the Leonids are known for producing some of the most spectacular meteor displays in the solar system, especially when Earth passes through dense streams of cometary dust. “When conditions are right, observers can see upwards of 50 meteors per hour,” a spokesperson from a national astronomical organization said, adding that the 2025 peak is expected to be modest but still visible to the naked eye from urban areas with reduced cloud cover.
Local authorities are encouraging residents to seek out open spaces such as parks, waterfronts, or rooftops to improve visibility. The Seattle Parks and Recreation department has reminded the public that some city parks remain open after dark, and that safety precautions—such as staying in well‑lit areas and keeping pets on leashes—should still be observed.
Even if the cloud break is brief, astronomers suggest that the most active portion of the shower will occur shortly after midnight, when the radiant point rises higher in the sky. Should the skies remain clear, the display could serve as a welcome distraction for residents coping with the region’s typical gray weather. The event also offers an educational opportunity for schools and community groups to highlight the science behind meteor showers and the role of comets in delivering space debris to Earth’s atmosphere.
