As the models predicted, a strong storm with powerful winds is moving across our region, and nearly 100,000 customers are without power as I write this blog.
The radar imagery has been stunning. At 7:30 AM, a well-defined low center (red arrow) was on the coast near the Columbia River.
And by 10 AM, the low was moving inland
Maximum winds so far today (through 10 AM) have been substantial over northern Oregon and southern Washington, with many locations getting to 50 mph. Up to 54 mph in Olympia and several reaching 70 mph.
Early-season strong winds inevitably mean lots of power outages, with trees being untested and still with lots of leaves.
Right now, at 11:30 AM, about 71,000 customers have lost power in Washington, with more in Oregon, and the event is not over.
The latest European Center forecast suggests the strong winds, and thus power outages, will remain south of downtown Seattle.
Some rain on my commute in, but obviously was raining more so before that at 6AM when I left home to commute into Kent.
ReplyDeleteAs the day went on, saw lights flicker periodically at work, but not enough to effect the computers, nor the network/internet so we were able to continue working.
Currently, it's sunny but blustery here in Tacoma and it's cool, not cold, low 60's at 5:26PM.
Indeed, leaves still on trees still.
That low passed right over our house. Winds maxed around 30 in the Chehalis River valley before the power went out around 9:30. We were luckier than most, getting it back before 4. This evening I drove to Chehalis on back roads and saw downed trees all over the area.
ReplyDeleteSadly it looks like the winds have kicked off a wildfire near Benton City; closed down I 84. Hoping this would put an end to a bad fire season but not to be.
ReplyDeletefire is out.... no worries. Just a grass fire.
DeleteMason County seemed to be largely spared from the wind until nearly noon on Friday. I heard from others down south that things were much worse starting earlier in the morning.
ReplyDeleteCurious why the winds didn’t creep as far north as was expected.
My eyes may have deceived me but it looked like the low didn’t swing to the east quite as quickly as was forecast after landfall, which may have kept the winds more modest.
The Euro model seemed to have the winds stronger and more widespread, but the HRRR model seemed more accurate this time.
My total rain added up to 0.47 inches after the second round.
ReplyDelete