Here comes the rain again ... eventually: Today So Far

• Rain is — finally — on the horizon for Washington ... eventually.
• Health experts are concerned about the flu season ahead.
• Spoiler alert: Prices are still high.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for October 12, 2022.

Rain is — finally — on the horizon for Washington ... eventually. The region has just experienced its driest summer on record, parts of the state have dipped back into drought conditions, and smoky air from wildfires continues to linger, so rain has been eagerly awaited. The National Weather Service's latest outlook for Oct. 19-25 shows above-average precipitation. In other words, a lot of rain.

The temperatures, however, are expected to remain quite warm considering this time of year. The end of October is looking to be warm and rainy. Read more here.

Maybe the warmer temperatures will help stave off flu season a little longer? OK, that's a twisted attempt at a silver lining, but I mention it because health experts are concerned about the flu season ahead. By now, we know that Covid pandemic measures, like masking and social distancing, basically knocked down flu cases. Now, the flu is slated for a comeback.

Seattle just announced that it is ending its emergency orders for the pandemic at the end of this month — another sign that conditions have eased up quite a bit and folks are moving on past the pandemic. Washington is ending its state-level orders at the same time. This is all happening as colder, wetter weather usually arrives, causing people to be more indoors, mingling with others. Add all of that up, and conditions are apt for the flu (and Covid). It's a good time to get an updated flu vaccine.

It's also a good time to find a Covid booster shot that is updated for Omicron. KUOW's Eilis O'Neill reports that finding booster shots around Seattle is proving to be difficult with pharmacies booked up. Outside the city, however, it could be a bit easier. Anecdotally, I live south of Seattle and I was able to get an omicron booster without any issues. When I showed up, there was no line. I actually got there early, so they just took me in and I was out before I was even scheduled to show up. (For another anecdotal side note: I now have had the J&J vaccine, a Moderna booster, and a Pfizer omicron booster. For me, the Pfizer booster was a cakewalk, while the other vaccines had me running hot and cold. Pfizer just made me tired the next day. But again, that's my experience.)

If you want an omicron booster, try consulting the state's vaccine locator website. O'Neill reports that Central and Eastern Washington pharmacies have more open appointments than locations around Puget Sound. Also, some county vaccine websites may have more info than the state's vaccine database. There are also pop-up vaccine clinics starting to emerge, such as pop-ups on Oct. 17 and Nov. 3-4 at the University of Washington.

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for me to check on gas prices throughout the region. Spoiler alert: Prices are still high. A couple weeks ago, Washington was at an average of $5.17 per gallon; last week it was $5.35.

The average gas price for a gallon of regular gas in Washington state is currently $5.38, according to AAA. While that seems like more than last week (it is), it's actually a slight decline from prices earlier this week. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area, the average is $5.57, about a penny cheaper than yesterday. One year ago in King County, the average was $4.

Washington's rising gas prices echo the national trend. GasBuddy reports that the recent move by OPEC+ to cut down on oil production has influenced gas prices, keeping them high. This comes despite some refineries coming back online after a brief absence, which is helping alleviate some strain.

“With OPEC+ deciding to cut oil production by two million barrels a day, we’ve seen oil prices surge 20%, which is the primary factor in the national average rising for the third straight week,” said analyst Patrick De Haan on GasBuddy's blog. “Some of the refinery snags that have caused prices to surge in the West and Great Lakes appear to be improving, with prices in those two regions likely to inch down, even with OPEC’s decision, as the drop in wholesale prices has offset the rise due to the production cut. But where gas prices didn’t jump because of refinery issues, they will rise a total of 10-30 cents due to oil’s rise, and some areas are certainly seeing the jump already. For now, I don’t expect much improvement in prices for most of the country, with California and the Great Lakes as the exception, with downdrafts likely in the days and weeks ahead.”

AS SEEN ON KUOW

Independent challenger for state Senate Chris Vance said he goes doorbelling up to six days per week, here in Auburn, Washington. He's among a quartet of independent candidates on the ballot this November in Oregon and Washington. (Northwest News Network)

DID YOU KNOW?

On this day, Oct. 12, 1810, the very first Oktoberfest was held in Bavaria. What we know today as a massive festival that fills beer halls actually started as a horse race and a wedding.

The wedding was for then Prince Ludwig I (later king) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Locals were invited to partake in the festivities which lasted five days and included a horse race. It was so fun, they decided to hold an event the following year, and the year after that. Eventually, more attractions were added, such as an agricultural fair, booths, rides, and more beer.

Today, Oktoberfest is the largest folk festival in the world that attracts millions to Munich, and is celebrated through additional events in cities across the globe.

ALSO ON OUR MINDS

With mortgage rates near 7%, the housing party is over. Now it's hangover time

Mortgage rates have gone through the roof. From 3% at the start of the year to up near 7% for the past two weeks for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. Rising rates have slowed the pace of home sales for 7 straight months as frustrated buyers throw up their hands and give up, unable to afford the bigger payments.

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