NWS issues hazardous weather advisories in WA
High winds in Columbia Basin, heavy snow in the Cascades.
SPOKANE — It looks like stormy weather across Washington state.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather advisory for the Columbia Basin eastward to Idaho with damaging high winds forecast this afternoon and continuing to midday on Thursday.
Southwest winds of 30 to 45 mph are predicted with gusts up to 65 mph in some areas. The strongest winds are expected to occur between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 5 a.m. Thursday.
Shortly after 5 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 11), wind speeds of 30 mph and gusts to 37 mph were recorded at the Ephrata Airport. Locally, there is also a 50% chance of some rain or snow continuing into Thursday, but little or no accumulation is expected.
Impacts could include blown-down trees and power lines, with power outages anticipated. Highway travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Patchy blowing dust could also hamper visibility, particularly in the Columbia Basin around Moses Lake, the Weather Service said.
Officials advised the public to watch out for falling debris, including tree limbs, and remain in lower levels of homes while avoiding windows. Those who must drive should use caution.
Elsewhere, the Weather Service is forecasting strong winds and possible blizzard conditions overnight in Washington’s Cascade mountains. Heavy snowfall is expected to begin accumulating on Thursday.
Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 could see 8 to 12 inches of new snow tomorrow and up to 16 inches overnight. Heavy snowfall could continue at times into Friday with accumulations up to 13 inches by evening before easing. Slightly lesser accumulations are expected over Stevens Pass on US 2, the Weather Service said.
