A cold front will move across the Pacific Northwest tonight, bringing a chance of rain showers. After it passes, we should see clearing skies here in the Tri-Cities and slightly cooler temperatures, but the biggest impact from this will be the wind.
Winds are expected to increase somewhat as the front approaches the Columbia Basin late this evening, but they will peak during the day Saturday with gusts possibly reaching up to 40 mph. Sustained winds should be around 15 to 25 mph. The strongest gusts will be in the typical windy spots – primarily on exposed ridges as well as areas outside of town where the wind can’t be blocked by trees or buildings.
Right now there are no weather alerts in place for any of the larger cities in the area, including the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Hermiston, and Pendleton. If this changes, I will be sure to post an update.
If you’re traveling Saturday, this wind will make for some unfavorable driving conditions. On the mountain passes, it will mix with snow possibly creating blizzard-like conditions at times. In the Columbia Gorge, it will be joining rainfall (with higher chances of rain the further west you go). Closer to home, the wind alone could create difficult driving conditions. This is especially true for larger vehicles.
Living in the desert east of the Cascades, every wind storm also brings a chance of significant tumbleweed drifts. Obviously not every wind event creates the tumbleweed apocalypse seen on the Hanford Site on New Years Eve, but it certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibilities. No matter where you’re going this weekend, be sure to have an emergency kit in case you have to chain up or are stuck for a while (which can happen for several reasons).
Winds should ease a bit Saturday evening, but they won’t calm completely. Breezy conditions with gusts to 25 mph are expected on Sunday with the passage of another front. This front will also bring another low chance of rain showers.
You can find weather updates over on Tri-Cities Weather on Facebook. On top of this, you can view up-to-date forecast information, including wind speed and timing, on my Forecast Map page!
This post is accurate as of 14:00 PT Friday.
