Wind advisory issued for most of Western Washington, with tree damage, power outages possible
A Wind Advisory has been issued for most of Western Washington Friday, with gusts from 40 to 50 mph expected.
Windstorms last month closed roads, caused trees to fall, and cut power to thousands. In Fall City, strong winds caused a tree to fall onto a woman, killing her.
While Friday’s storm is not expected to be a major wind event, any unsecured objects could get knocked over or blown away, and tree damage and power outages are possible.
The National Weather Service also warns drivers to use extra caution, especially when behind the wheel of a high-profile vehicle.
Forecast
The wind has picked up and the rain is here. So far, we’ve had gusts in the 35 mph range at the Hood Canal Bridge and a 46 mph gust in Olympia. The strongest wind isn’t here yet but should be around from roughly 2 to 5 p.m.
We have the Wind Advisory for a good portion of Puget Sound, where gusts could be in the 40 to 45 mph range more often, with some outlier gusts in the 45 to 50 mph range. To the north and at the north coasts, gusts could be around 50 to 55 mph and possibly higher at times.
The wind will let up Friday evening with another wet system on the way in for Saturday.
We’ll see close to a foot of snow at Baker and around 3 to 6 inches from White, Snoqualmie and Stevens pass.
A frontal system is pushing onshore this morning as indicated by radar. Expect gusty winds and rainfall over the region to increase as the day progresses. #wawx pic.twitter.com/PFlxr4OFIl
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) February 3, 2023
Winds subside into Friday night, but rain will continue at times into Saturday with snow in the mountains. We could have some drier times on Sunday but still, some showers will be around. Highs will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s – about seasonal norms.
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The mountains will get an average of 6 to 12 inches of snow from Friday through the weekend, though less could fall at Snoqualmie Pass because of rain mixing in. The higher peaks could get more snow.
The outlook for next week is less clear at this point, with forecast models differing on whether a ridge of high pressure takes over for nicer and drier weather.
Right now, we’re leaving rain chances in for Monday while trending drier thereafter.
🌬️ GUSTY WINDS FRIDAY
In the last 24 hours we've seen a notable increase in the wind forecast for Friday. Winds will peak late Fri morning through the afternoon and be strongest along the WA coast and from Whidbey Is. northward. Power outages & tree damage will be possible#wawx pic.twitter.com/GNF19r6rpS— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) February 2, 2023
