Seattle, WA — Blustery conditions are tightening their grip on the Pacific Northwest this weekend, leading National Weather Service offices in Seattle and Pendleton to post widespread Wind Advisories.
The alerts encompass a broad swath of the region—from the Washington coast and San Juan Islands through the Puget Sound area, Yakima Valley, and the Columbia River Gorge, and into central and eastern Oregon—and remain valid into early Sunday.
In western Washington, sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts topping out around 45 to 50 mph are expected, particularly along the Grays Harbor shoreline, the Lower Chehalis River Valley, and across the San Juan Islands. This advisory runs through 5 AM PDT Sunday.
Farther south and east, the Pendleton, OR forecast area is anticipating sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph across the Columbia Basin, the Blue Mountain foothills, and parts of Central Oregon, including Bend, Pendleton, Hermiston, and The Dalles. Start times vary by zone, generally beginning around midday Saturday and continuing as late as 7 AM Sunday.
Forecasters caution that small tree limbs could snap, isolated power outages are possible, and tall vehicles may encounter hazardous crosswinds on exposed stretches of roadway—especially along I-84, US-97, and US-12. Residents should secure loose outdoor items and drive with extra care, particularly on bridges and open passes.
Winds will gradually diminish by Sunday morning, setting the stage for a quieter, cooler finish to the weekend.
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