High Wind Watch 3, NWS Spokane, WA

506 
WWUS76 KOTX 082229
NPWOTX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
229 PM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

...STRONG WINDS ON WEDNESDAY...

.GUSTY SOUTH WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH GUSTS AS
HIGH AS 40 MPH OVER THE COLUMBIA BASIN...PALOUSE AND WEST
PLAINS...AS WELL AS THE EXPOSED MOUNTAIN RIDGES. WINDS WILL PEAK
ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A STRONG COLD FRONT. EXPECT WINDS
TO SHIFT TO THE WEST OR SOUTHWEST WITH SOME OF THE STRONGEST GUSTS
OVER THE PALOUSE...LEWISTON AREA...WEST PLAINS...CAMAS PRAIRIE...
AND SPOKANE METRO.

IDZ002-003-026-027-WAZ031>033-036-091000-
/O.UPG.KOTX.HW.A.0003.151209T1400Z-151210T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.HW.W.0002.151209T1600Z-151210T0300Z/
COEUR D'ALENE AREA-IDAHO PALOUSE-LEWISTON AREA-
LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE COUNTIES-NORTHEAST BLUE MOUNTAINS-
LOWER GARFIELD AND ASOTIN COUNTIES-WASHINGTON PALOUSE-
SPOKANE AREA-
229 PM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM PST WEDNESDAY. THE
HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH.

* TIMING...PEAK WINDS WILL OCCUR FROM MID MORNING THROUGH LATE
  AFTERNOON ON WEDNESDAY WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 60 MPH.

* IMPACTS...WIND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWER LINES.
  GROUND SOAKED WITH RAIN MAY ALSO HEIGHTEN THE THREAT OF UPROOTED
  TREES. HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTY STAYING ON
  THE ROAD. MOTORISTS WITH PLANS TO TRAVEL ON HIGHWAY 195 OVER THE
  WASHINGTON PALOUSE AND HIGHWAY 95 FROM COEUR D'ALENE TO LEWISTON
  SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR DANGEROUS CROSS WINDS.

* LOCATIONS...LEWISTON...CLARKSTON...PULLMAN...SPOKANE...COEUR
  D'ALENE...CHENEY...LA CROSSE...POMEROY...ALPOWA
  SUMMIT...WINCHESTER...CRAIGMONT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. TREE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES WILL BE LIKELY.
SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR
MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

&&

$$

WAZ034-035-044-091000-
/O.UPG.KOTX.HW.A.0003.151209T1400Z-151210T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.WI.Y.0017.151209T1400Z-151210T0000Z/
MOSES LAKE AREA-UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN-WATERVILLE PLATEAU-
229 PM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY.
THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* WINDS...WEST OR SOUTHWEST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL PEAK BY MID MORNING WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUE
  THROUGH MID AFTERNOON WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...WIND COULD CAUSE TREE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES. HIGH
  PROFILE VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTY STAYING ON THE ROAD.

* LOCATIONS...MOSES LAKE...EPHRATA...WATERVILLE...MANSFIELD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED.
WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

&&

$$

IDZ001-004-WAZ037-038-091000-
/O.UPG.KOTX.HW.A.0003.151209T1400Z-151210T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.WI.Y.0017.151209T1600Z-151210T0300Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS-OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS-
229 PM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM PST WEDNESDAY.
THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH. EXPOSED
  MOUNTAIN RIDGES WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GUST TO 65 MPH OR
  MORE.

* TIMING...WINDS IN THE LOWLANDS WILL PEAK LATE WEDNESDAY MORNING
  INTO WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...WIND COULD CAUSE TREE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES. HIGH
  PROFILE VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTY STAYING ON THE ROAD.

* LOCATIONS...SANDPOINT...DEER PARK...COLVILLE...PRIEST LAKE...
  REPUBLIC...NESPELEM...KELLOGG...ST MARIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED.
WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

&&

$$

WAZ041>043-091000-
/O.NEW.KOTX.WI.Y.0017.151209T1400Z-151210T0000Z/
WENATCHEE AREA-EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-OKANOGAN VALLEY-
229 PM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY.

* WINDS...WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. IN THE
  OKANOGAN VALLEY AND ALONG THE COLUMBIA RIVER NEAR CHELAN AND
  BREWSTER...SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH.
  EXPOSED RIDGES IN THE CASCADES COULD GUST UP TO 65 MPH OR MORE.

* TIMING...PEAK WIND WILL OCCUR DURING THE DAY WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS...WIND COULD CAUSE TREE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES. HIGH
  PROFILE VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DIFFICULTY STAYING ON THE ROAD.

* LOCATIONS...WENATCHEE...CHELAN...LEAVENWORTH...LAKE
  CHELAN...METHOW VALLEY...OMAK...BREWSTER...OROVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED.
WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

&&

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
313 AM PST TUE DEC 8 2015

.SYNOPSIS...
The parade of storms continues with more rain today through
Wednesday. Strong winds will accompany these storms, especially on
Wednesday. A cooler Pacific storm on Thursday will bring rain and low
land snow to the region. There will be a better chance for valley
snow this weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Today through Wednesday: A very active period of weather for the
next 36 hours. More rain is on the way. See the Hydrology section
below for a discussion of flooding concerns. The warm front will
move into the area over the next few hours so by sunrise just
about everyone will be raining this morning. This will also bring
record warm temperatures this afternoon.  After that, the wind
kicks in. And that will be the main story. Today winds will be
20-30 mph with gusts of 40-45 mph over the eastern Columbia
Basin, Palouse, and Spokane metro. These winds will diminish some
overnight but not stop completely.

Tonight the cold front will restart the rain over the area. As the
cold front moves across the region on Wednesday, winds will
strengthen. I've issued a High Wind Watch for this period. Winds
this afternoon and tonight will be strong, but not as strong as
what we will see on Wednesday. I've also added a mention of
thunderstorms for Wednesday afternoon for extreme eastern WA and
the Panhandle. If they form, they could locally increase winds. RJ

Wednesday night through Saturday night...An active weather pattern
continues with a couple organized systems to track through
Thursday and again over the weekend.

Wednesday night/Thursday: After a short wave ridge brings a brief
break in the weather Wednesday night...the next system swings
through Thursday morning as a deep 960mb low off Vancouver Island
sends a strong occluded front through the Inland NW. Models agree
that this will bring widespread precipitation with amounts ranging
from 0.20-0.50 inches. Now whether this falls as rain or snow will
depend on location and elevation. Model soundings show snow the
most likely scenario along the East Slopes of the Cascades and
west portion of the Waterville Plateau, as well as the northern
valleys and Idaho Panhandle where valley accumulations of 1 to 3
inches with locally higher amounts are forecast. A tougher call
for the Spokane/Coeur D'Alene area as well as the Wenatchee area but
most model guidance is pointing towards temps in the mid 30s with
a rain/snow mix...or a wet non-accumulating snow. However the
intensity of the precipitation could help drive down the snow
level Thursday morning so there is low confidence in these areas.
Precip-type from Moses Lake to Ritzville to the palouse southward
is expected to see valley rain and mountain snow. The main focus
of showers shifts to the mountains Thursday afternoon with valley
highs warming into the upper 30s and lower 40s for most towns.

Thursday night through Friday night: An upper trough lingers over
the area but stretches with time leaving a quieter weather
pattern. Best chance for snow showers will be in the mountains
with a chance for light rain or snow showers in the valleys
depending on location and time of day.

Saturday and Saturday night...Light to moderate snow
accumulations for much of the region is possible. Models are in
good agreement of a low pressure tracking through with a warm
front bringing widespread precipitation to the Inland NW...but
differ by 6-12 hours on timing. Given that the Canadian model is
in agreement with the ECMWF forecast leans towards these two
solutions. This would result in precip crossing the Cascades
Saturday afternoon reaching Eastern Washington and North Idaho
Saturday evening. However overall confidence on precise timing is
low given this is several days out. The air mass preceding this
will be cool with 850mb temps of -2 to -5C. The ECMWF suggest snow
for most...except for rain in the Columbia Basin from Moses Lake
to Ritzville southward as well as the Clarkston-Lewiston area. JW

Sunday through Tuesday: As the Low continues to exit the region,
precip across the region will begin to decrease. A series of
troughs will filter into the Pacific Northwest beginning Sunday
night and going through the end of the period. The timing and
amount of moisture with these systems are not well agreed by the
models. Depending on the timing, the daytime hours could see a
rain/snow mix for the lower elevations and snow for the overnight
hours. Higher terrains and mountains can expect to get snow from
these systems. Most of the region can expect to see highs in the
mid 30s. This will decent chance for snow into the Columbia Basin.
The lows will fall into the mid 20s. /JDC

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAFS: IFR weather in the Spokane area will improve a bit later
this morning as rain redevelops over the area. In the afternoon
the rain will be replaced by strong winds over much of the area
improving flight conditions. The rain will return tonight for more
IFR/MVFR weather. RJ

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
A Flood Advisory is in place through midday Thursday for all of
the Inland Northwest except for the Basin and the Lewiston area. Aside
from the Cascades, there is no low-elevation snow on the ground
to melt and contribute to the flooding problem.  More rain is on
the way today and tonight. The break in the rain last night, as
well as this afternoon, helps alleviate flooding potential as the
water is given time to soak into the ground or get routed through
local rivers/streams. But given the saturated nature of the soil,
additional rain is more likely to cause minor flooding problems.
The heaviest rain will fall over the northern ID Panhandle.
Mudslides are likely to occur in this area.  RJ

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Spokane        55  48  51  34  42  32 / 100  90  70  10 100  50
Coeur d'Alene  53  46  50  34  42  33 / 100 100  90  10 100  50
Pullman        56  48  50  36  45  34 / 100  80  90  10 100  40
Lewiston       61  50  54  40  48  37 / 100  60  60  10  90  30
Colville       48  41  49  32  37  32 / 100 100  70  10  90  40
Sandpoint      47  44  47  33  38  32 / 100 100 100  20 100  50
Kellogg        46  44  45  33  37  32 / 100 100 100  30  90  60
Moses Lake     56  49  55  36  46  31 /  90  40  20  40 100  20
Wenatchee      50  43  50  35  41  32 / 100  50  20  50 100  20
Omak           46  42  47  32  37  32 / 100  80  20  20 100  20

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
     afternoon for Central Panhandle Mountains-Coeur d'Alene
     Area-Idaho Palouse-Lewis and Southern Nez Perce Counties-
     Lewiston Area-Northern Panhandle.

WA...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
     afternoon for Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake
     Area-Northeast Blue Mountains-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan
     Highlands-Spokane Area-Upper Columbia Basin-Washington
     Palouse-Waterville Plateau.

&&

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service SPOKANE WA
515 AM PST MON DEC 7 2015

IDZ001>004-026-027-WAZ031>038-041>044-081400-
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-COEUR D'ALENE AREA-IDAHO PALOUSE-
CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-LEWISTON AREA-
LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE COUNTIES-NORTHEAST BLUE MOUNTAINS-
LOWER GARFIELD AND ASOTIN COUNTIES-WASHINGTON PALOUSE-
MOSES LAKE AREA-UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN-SPOKANE AREA-
NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS-OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS-WENATCHEE AREA-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-OKANOGAN VALLEY-WATERVILLE PLATEAU-
515 AM PST MON DEC 7 2015

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North Idaho...
North Central Idaho...Central Washington...East Central
Washington...North Central Washington...Northeast Washington and
Southeast Washington.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Heavy rain is expected across the area this afternoon. This could
lead to water problems in localized areas. Gusty winds are also
expected this evening...mainly on the Palouse, Pomeroy area as
well as the Wenatchee area.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

More wet and windy weather is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
More local flooding is possible. Mudslides are also possible in
areas with steeper terrain. Additionally, strong winds are
expected on Wednesday with gusts to 55 mph possible. The weather
will turn cooler by the end of the week which could mean the
return of low elevation snow.