July 14, 2025

One Day Cool-Down and Strong, Threatening Winds in Eastern Washington

 Today, an upper-level trough of low pressure is moving through the region, bringing cooler conditions over the region and strong winds in eastern Washington.   

In fact, much stronger winds from an unusual direction.

Consider the forecast upper-level weather map (500 hPa pressure, around 18,000 ft) this morning (below).  A low-pressure area.... a trough...   is moving southeastward over the region, with high pressure....a ridge... over the Pacific.


This feature is pushing cooler, Pacific air into western Washington and Oregon, resulting in stronger westerly winds over the eastern slopes of the Cascades.  

But in the wake of the trough later today, strong northerly winds (from the north) will push down the Okanogan Valley into northeast Washington.

Consider the wind gust forecasts from the UW high-resolution weather prediction model.  At 8 PM Monday (today), it is going for moderate wind gusts...up to about 35 kt around Ellensburg and vicinity.  Typical summer conditions and why there are a lot of wind turbines there.

Today at the same time,  the wind gusts are even stronger around Omak and the Okanagan area.   Look closely, and you see the powerful winds are from the north....which is relatively unusual this time of the year.



A plot of the maximum wind gusts forecast through tonight shows a substantial strong wind area on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.


As of 3 PM (Monday), the strong winds were materializing, with northerly wind gusts to 68 mph in the Okanogan!  Wow.



With dry fuels in place, there is a substantial wildfire threat with these wind conditions, so folks need to be careful not to cause ignitions.

My colleagues at the National Weather Service (Spokane office) have strong warnings out (see below).  They also spotlight the particular danger in the Okanagan.  Another example of why we need the forecasts of the National Weather Service.

 










2 comments:

  1. Cliff, it seems we have had more wind this summer. The northerly winds, at least in the City of Snohomish, have really made the wamer temperatures managable. I don't remember summers having this much wind normally. However, that could just be me getting older. The temps in the upper 80s are much easier to tolerate when there is a good breeze blowing. Thanks!

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  2. Yep had to warn most people I know. Like I said the local radio said nothing but "gusty" winds. Not the damaging dangerous wind like NWS said. And many don't follow NWS. Fire cooking now north omak evacuations. Not good. Have we seen the already or more coming?

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One Day Cool-Down and Strong, Threatening Winds in Eastern Washington

 Today, an upper-level trough of low pressure is moving through the region, bringing cooler conditions over the region and strong winds in e...