Wind advisory issued for tonight
Updated 9 p.m. September 5, 2012
Several of the steel buildings at Pro X Building Supply were heavily damaged by this evenings high winds.
Photos courtesy Eileen Madson
Several trees have been reported downed by high winds around the county, and widespread weakened branches are coming down, including these in front of a Bonners Ferry home.
Photo courtesy Bill Blumenauer
 
The National Weather Service at 7:38 p.m. issued a wind advisory for an area including Boundary County until 5 a.m. Thursday. Sustained northeast winds of 20 to 35 mils per hour could gust to 50 mph, causing blowing dust. There have already been reports of trees in power lines as well as intermittent power outages.

The change in weather is due to a fast-moving cold front moving through the area that is increasing the pressure gradient throughout the region, but particularly down the Purcell Trench through Boundary County.

The advisory warns that travelers on U.S. 95 could experience buffeting winds and blowing sand sufficient to reduce visibility.

By 9 p.m., there have been several reports of trees being blown down through out the area, including one only moments ago at Ball Creek Ranch, in northern Boundary County on Westside Road, that fell into power lines that feed power across the river. That one not only knocked out power, but sparked a fire that Hall Mountain fire crews and Northern Lights are responding to at this hour.

Through tonight, there is a 30-percent chance of showers, but the system should pass through in  the early morning and skies Thursday should be mostly sunny, with highs in the low to mid 70s.