Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published November 12, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified November 12, 2007 at 10:30 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Gusts of 60 mph forecast as storm heads for region

High winds are likely for the coast and northern parts of Western Washington through this afternoon, potentially leaving a trail of downed trees and blacked-out neighborhoods.

Seattle Times staff reporter

High winds are likely for the Washington coast and northern parts of Western Washington through this afternoon, potentially leaving a trail of downed trees and blacked-out neighborhoods.

The winds may also hit the Seattle area and as far south as Olympia.

Sustained southerly winds of at least 35 to 45 mph, with gusts higher than 60 mph, are expected inland. At the coast, sustained winds will reach 40-50 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph.

The strongest winds in the Seattle area are predicted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., easing after that. On the coast, the storm will begin around 4 a.m., and the winds are expected to ease by midday.

Worst affected will be the northern part of the state. The National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning covering San Juan County, western Skagit County, western Whatcom County and the Admiralty Inlet area between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend.

The weather service issued a less-definitive "high wind watch" covering the rest of Western Washington as far south as Olympia.

Johnny Burg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the storm is one of the "typical windstorms we get every late fall" and could be comparable to the windstorm that swept through central Puget Sound last month.

In the Oct. 18 storm, tens of thousands of people in Central Washington lost power for a time due to downed trees, and a 44-year-old man died while kite surfing on Lake Washington.

"We're not quite as certain we'll see high winds here in the Seattle area" this time, said Burg. "We want everyone to know this is a possibility and have them prepare."

He suggested that people secure anything outside that might blow away and make sure they have flashlights, radios and batteries on hand in case of a power outage.

The center of the developing offshore storm system that meteorologists are watching is expected to hit the coast near northern or central Vancouver Island late this morning.

Dominic Gates: 206-464-2963 or dgates@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Advertising

Video

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
A little friendly competition between professional pie-baker Kate McDermott and The Seatttle Times' Kathleen Triesch Saul is handled with great taste.

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising