High winds expected in the Palouse

October 13, 2016

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Areas affected include Whitman, Lincoln, Benewah, Latah, Kootenai and Spokane Counties. An active pacific storm pattern will push a cold front through the region with windy and gusty conditions across the Columbia Basin on Friday. Pre-dawn wind gusts are possible over the higher benches and hills of the eastern and northern basin, with gusts developing over the entire basin during the late morning hours and lasting into the early evening. * Winds: Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Timing: Isolated wind gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range are possible in the pre-dawn hours of Friday mainly focused on the higher terrain. Wind gusts up to 45 mph will become more common across the entire region late in the morning and continue through the early evening. * Impacts: Scattered power outages are possible from tree limbs on power lines. Some trees weakened by shallow roots in saturated ground may be toppled. Driving high profile vehicles on Highway 195 and other north south routes may be difficult to control. * locations: Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area and the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho. A wind advisory means that wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.