If you live along the Washington coast or in NW Washington, I would charge up all your electronics during the next 6 hours…. a decent blow will occur overnight.
And portions of Seattle might get a piece of it.
No….this will not be another Columbus Storm, but winds will gust to 40-60 mph in locations, and early-season storms always have enhanced impacts since leaves are still on trees.
Consider Seattle, where the UW WindWatch application (supported by Seattle CityLight) provides the most high-tech wind forecast in the region.
All models (the individual lines) predict a rapid acceleration this evening (Friday), with peak winds of at least 30 mph. But some of the best are stronger (e.g., the NOAA HRRR model and UW high-resolution prediction), with winds gusting to 40-55 mph.
That suggests power outages.
What is going on? A Pacific front will move through, with associated low pressure passing to our north. This will cause a substantial increase in the north-south pressure difference, which in turn will accelerate the winds from the south.
But there is more….the strong winds will interact with our mountains, producing wind “hot spots.”
Let me illustrate this with wind predictions from the UW ultra-high resolution modeling system. First, I will present the sea level pressure pattern (isobars) with solid lines and winds shown by the wind barbs.
At 10 PM, a low will move into BC with large changes in pressure to its south.
By 1 AM Saturday, a very large pressure gradient will exist over western Washington.
The implications for local winds are substantial.
Let me show you the predictions of maximum surface wind gusts from the UW high-resolution system.
At 10 PM tonight, the winds will be howling over NW Washington and quite strong along the coast (gusts to 50 mph and more). Even stronger winds will occur just downstream from the crests of the Olympics, where hurricane-force gusts are predicted. Puget Sound will just be blustery at this point.
But a few hours later (4 AM is shown below) northern Puget Sound country will be rocking (blue colors), as will the higher terrain in the Cascades.
Good timing in a way. The power may go out while you are asleep.
So my advice to all of you from Seattle northward…..get your gear charged up tonight.
Eastern Washington? It will experience strong winds a few hours later, with gusts to 30-40 mph (see predicted winds at 7 AM Saturday below).
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Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing Dinner and Talk on December 4
I will be doing a book signing and lecture, accompanied by a special dinner, on December 4, at the very special Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing Restaurant. The event is limited to 50. More information and registration form is here:
