Dangerous East Wind Event Tmrw

As a record breaking bombcyclone begins to intensify, it is more certain that some of the coast and the East Puget Sound Lowlands will see a period of strong winds. The NWS has issued a high wind warning for the coast and the ESPL:

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Seattle WA 1241 PM PST Mon Nov 18 2024 WAZ515>517-555-556-191300- /O.UPG.KSEW.HW.A.0001.241120T0200Z-241120T1400Z/ /O.NEW.KSEW.HW.W.0006.241119T2200Z-241120T1200Z/ Western Strait of Juan De Fuca-North Coast-Central Coast-East Puget Sound Lowlands-Bellevue and Vicinity- Including the cities of La Push, Queets, Prairie Ridge, Aberdeen, Woodinville, Hoquiam, Joyce, Covington-Sawyer-w, Sahalee, Neah Bay, Monroe, Redmond, Kirkland, Ozette, Maple Valley, Pine Lake, Newport Hills, Enumclaw, Beaver, Clallam Bay, Kenmore, Clearwater, Bothell, Sekiu, Forks, and Bonney Lake 1241 PM PST Mon Nov 18 2024 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TUESDAY TO 4 AM PST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...East to southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Central Coast, North Coast, Western Strait of Juan De Fuca, Bellevue and Vicinity, and East Puget Sound Lowlands. * WHEN...From 2 PM Tuesday to 4 AM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strongest winds will occur Tuesday evening into early Wednesday morning. Significant impacts may occur at lower-than-usual wind speeds due to the atypical easterly wind direction. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive. && $$




I find this warning particularly interesting because this is a east wind event. These event are driven by a low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east of the cascades leading to strong winds in the Cascade gaps. This would normally include cities like North Bend, Enumclaw and other foothill cities. However, the NWS has the warning much further westward including cities that are normally not affected by east wind events. Bellevue, Bother, Kirkland and Redmond are included in this warning. The models have been showing solutions that would make this warning applicable however I am skeptical if this actually happens. Given that this is a historically strong low pressure, possibly the strongest ever, this solution could occur but I would be surprised. Regardless, trees in areas like Kirkland and Redmond have never seen gusts so high from that direction so if the solution the NWS suggests should occur, it would cause significant tree damage and widespread power outages. 

Prepare for a significant wind event in the Cascade foothills. Areas like Redmond, Bothell and Kirkland should also stay ready for high winds tmrw night, however uncertainty remains. Charge phones and flashlights if necessary!

Needless to say, if the forecast does verify this would be a significant and unprecedented wind event for the ESPL.




Do want to cover the possibility for snow tonight in some of the hills. Widespread shower activity remains and temps rest in the upper 30's so it will only take some heavy precipitation to get the snow levels down. Areas over 500 ft have the best shot at a dusting of snow. Some of the higher hills near Portland could also receive some snow tonight. Not a significant even by any means but some lucky areas could pick up a dusting at best. Other areas could see the first flakes of the season. 
After this we look at Friday for the chance of a regional windstorm.
Certainly a very active weather week!!

Have a good night and stay weather aware!!



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