The National Weather Service issued a “High Wind Watch” advisory Thursday afternoon (April 1), and unlike some of our earlier stories, this one’s no joke – expect wind speeds between 35 and 55 MPH beginning around 10am Friday, April 2nd.
This means that there could be downed trees, power outages, road hazards, and of course, messy hair aplenty.
It also means snow and high winds in the mountains, along with treacherous pass conditions, so be careful if you’re traveling anywhere for Easter weekend.
Here’s the language the weatherfolk are using:
…High wind watch remains in effect for the greater Puget Sound region…east Puget Sound lowlands…and the lower Chehalis valley from Friday morning through Friday afternoon…
A high wind watch remains in effect from Friday morning through friday afternoon. * very strong…possibly damaging…south winds may develop along and behind a cold front on Friday…over portions of interior Western Washington.
There is still some uncertainty as to the exact track and depth of the associated surface low moving near or just north of washington. At this time…the most likely scenario would generate south winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.
However…if the surface low deepens more than expected…wind speeds could reach close to high wind criteria. Therefore the high wind watch remains in effect until details are more certain. * the very strong winds could result in some power outages across portions of western washington friday afternoon and evening due to power lines being damaged by tree limbs. Some of the regions trees have begun to leaf out already…which could add to the potential for wind damage to occur. Rain soaked ground could allow trees to easily topple or become uprooted.
Precautionary/preparedness actions… A high wind watch means conditions are favorable for damaging winds. High winds can topple trees…down power lines…and damage some structures.
- Confidence is high that strong winds and heavy snow will affect the mountains.
- Confidence is high that damaging winds will affect the Washington Coast and North Interior
- Confidence is only moderate that damaging winds will affect the Central Puget Sound area
A strong spring storm system will develop offshore and rapidly move through Western Washington Friday
- Strong and damaging winds are expected, especially along the coast and in the northern interior of Western Washington
- Trees have begun to leaf out, so there is a greater likelihood of downed limbs and trees
- Heavy mountain snow of 1 to 3 feet is expected in the Cascades and Olympics above 3000 feet.
- Increased avalanche hazards in the Cascades and Olympics
- Heavy rainfall at lower elevations of the Southern Olympics will cause rises on the Skokomish river, though flooding is not expected at this time. Other rivers will not flood.
Bulk of Puget Sound area and Southwest Interior: S to SW 35 (with) Gusts of 55 mph beginning 10 AM PDT
For the latest updates, check out the National Weather Service’s Seattle-area website here.
The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” Sunday afternoon about a strong, windy weather system that’s predicted to hit the area Monday night.
We’re no Cliff Mass, but one thing that struck us was the mention of the pressure in this storm, rated at 980 millibars. As comparison, Hurricane Katrina was rated at 920 mb (lower is stronger), and the Inauguration Day storm of 1993 was rated between 972-980 mb (for a great read on northwest storm systems, with info on pressures, click here).
While it’s a powerful system, since the storm will weaken as it pushes inland, wind speeds are predicted to be between 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 45. There could be downed trees and power outages though, so you may want to batten down all those flowers you worked on Sunday.
Here’s the statement:
Statement as of 3:51 PM PDT on May 03, 2009
… Very windy conditions are expected to develop in the western Washington lowlands Monday night and continue through Tuesday morning…
A developing storm system in the central Pacific is expected to deepen to around 980 mb as it moves through the Washington offshore waters toward northern Vancouver Island Monday and Monday night. A strong frontal system associated with this low will move through western Washington Monday night.
A storm and frontal system of this magnitude is more typical of late fall or winter than of early may.
At this point it appears that south winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph will develop Monday night as the front moves through and continue through the early morning hours on Tuesday. Many deciduous trees are now leafing. So winds of this magnitude may break some large branches and possibly topple a few trees.
Local power outages are possible.
That’s right – it’s snowing out (but it’ll likely melt), and here are the latest school and traffic updates for the White Center area:
- SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 HOURS LATE:
Buses Operate on Snow Routes.
No Door-to-Door Service.
No A.M. or P.M. Head Start.
No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.
Updated: 5:42 a.m. February 26, 2009
Highline Public Schools will operate two hours late today. Emergency bus transportation is in effect.
*There will be no breakfast, no morning classes for preschool, kindergarten, ECEAP, or PSSC. Afternoon classes for these programs will be on time.
*Schools will dismiss at regular times.
Snow and power failures can cause disruptions for schools and families. During these difficult times, HIghline Public Schools will do all it can to communicate vital information to parents and students.
Our top priority is student safety!
Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service:
Statement as of 4:35 AM PST on February 26, 2009
… Additional snowfall of an inch or two and freezing temperatures will warrant caution this morning…
Hazardous driving conditions will be the rule across western Washington this morning due to snow that has already fallen… possible accumulations of another inch or two… and freezing temperatures.
Scattered snow showers will continue this morning as the upper level low pressure system over the area moves eastward. Local
additional accumulations of an inch or two are possible. In addition temperatures have fallen below freezing across most of western Washington this morning… so roads and sidewalks will be icy even if they are free of snow.These conditions will be relatively short lived. Temperatures will climb above freezing by noon today with highs around 40… and most of the area will have partly sunny skies.
If you’re going to be out driving, here are live webcam views:
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The National Weather Service issued another winter storm watch Monday at 3:28pm, and this one looks like it could dump some real, heavy snow – 3-6 inches by Wednesday night!
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Watch…which is in effect from late Tuesday night through late Wednesday night.
Heavy snow is likely over western Washington on Wednesday. Three to six inches are possible in certain areas… including the east Puget Sound lowlands… the northwest and southwest interiors… and the Strait of Juan de Fuca area. Snow in these areas will begin in the north late Tuesday night and spread south Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday night three to six inches of new snow are possible.
Other areas… including the Seattle metropolitan area and the Kitsap peninsula… could get less snow. Here models show one or two inches are possible. On the coast it is possible that conditions will be warm enough for rain part of the time… or mixed rain and snow. However it is not certain that sub-warning amounts will fall in these areas and the Winter Storm Watch extends to them as well.
The Cascades and Olympics will also receive heavy snow… with one or two feet of new snow likely.
Snow levels will be at sea level through much of the event so virtually all of the precipitation will be in the form of snow.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Monitor weather forecasts. If you have to travel…Tuesday is likely to be a much better day than Wednesday.
(okay, so we’re not even sure if “Autumnish” is a word but we like making new things up so bear with us) The National Weather Service has issued the following “Weather Advisory,” with wonderful phrases like “A powerful storm more typical of autumn will bring rain” and others that can just ruin whatever summer you’ve been enjoying thus far, so please plan accordingly:
… A powerful and wet Pacific storm will bring significant rainfall to western Washington tonight through Wednesday…
A powerful storm more typical of autumn will bring rain… locally heavy… to the area tonight through Wednesday. Storm total rainfall amounts are expected to be in the 2 to 4 inch range in the Olympics… and the 1 to 3 inch range on the coast and Cascades. Elsewhere… amounts will be less or generally in the quarter to one inch range. It is possible that the heavy rains could lead to water rises on small creeks as well as ponding of water in low lying areas.
In addition to the significant rainfall… this storm system will bring gusty winds and usher in a colder air mass Wednesday night. By early Thursday… the snow levels are expected to be mainly in the 6000 to 6500 foot range. People planning on hiking or camping in the mountains should be prepared for Fall-like weather and plan accordingly.
Full weather report here.
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