Originally published November 12, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified November 12, 2007 at 10:30 AM
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
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
630 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
185 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
161 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
126 - ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
125 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
112 - Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying
103 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
94
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks





