No swimming at 4 beaches, with week of sunshine ahead in Western WA

Take heart: Western Washington's recent weather roller coaster" is about to end with a week of sunny skies, said National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Lindeman.

But if you're tempted to jump in the water at four Seattle-area beaches - Gene Coulon Memorial Beach in Renton, Madison Park Beach, Green Lake's West Beach and Seward Park's Andrews Bay Beach - don't. Recent tests revealed high levels of bacteria at all four beaches and Public Health – Seattle & King County has for days been telling people to stay out of the water.

Water tests measure bacteria caused by poop from people, dogs, ducks and other animals, according to the public health agency. High levels can cause people swimming or playing the water to become sick.

The bacteria level at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach was particularly high in one sample collected May 11.

The closed beaches shouldn't be too much of a problem for most people. Next week's temperatures will be far from scorching. Instead, we'll see typical springtime highs in the upper 60s and low 70s, Lindeman said.

The mornings are expected to be cloudy as high pressure building offshore generates winds that will bring moisture east from the ocean. By late morning or early afternoon, the sun should emerge.

"We're not expecting any precipitation so it's really just rinse and repeat," Lindeman said.

Rain is possible by the end of next weekend, she added. That's not the best forecast for Memorial Day weekend.

"But it's a little unclear at this point, Lindeman said.

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 4:55 PM.