High Wind in Oregon, March 28 to 29, 2021

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
929 AM PDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...HIGH WINDS, BLOWING DUST, AND MOUNTAIN SNOW EXPECTED LATER TODAY
THROUGH TONIGHT...

.MORNING UPDATE...
A rather eventful day of weather is expected as a significant
shortwave trough and associated cold front impact the region this
afternoon into tonight. High confidence (90-100% chance) exists
in widespread wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph with a few gusts of 60
to 70 mph also likely (85-95% chance) from the Columbia Basin
east to the Foothills of the Blue Mountains. Overall confidence in
this event stems from analysis of recent HREF and ECMWF ensembles,
which continue to point to a higher end wind event. The EFI from
the ECMWF likewise points to such a scenario with values of 0.90
to 1.0 denoting an anomalously high wind signal as compared to
model climatology. Additionally, shift of tails has increased
across areas of northeast OR and southeast WA to 1 or higher,
indicating that some of the ensemble input indicates the potential
for an extreme event. Winds will begin to increase by the Noon
hour, peaking between 2 PM this afternoon and 5 AM Monday. The
most intense winds appear likely to occur from 4 PM to 10 PM from
the lower Columbia Basin east to the Blue Mountain foothills,
including Tri-Cities, Boardman/Heppner, Pendleton, Walla Walla,
and Dayton. These ares appear most primed to see a few gusts in
the 60-70 mph range as a fast moving front surges through.

Essentially nothing since yesterday has improved in terms of very
strong damaging wind potential this afternoon into tonight and
people should be preparing their homes and securing any outdoor
items that may be toppled or lofted. With winds such as these,
downed trees and power lines will certainly be a possibility in
spite of many trees not yet having their leaves. In addition, with
many fields having been recently plowed, blowing dust will become
a concern with the potential for prolonged blowing dust and
visibility reductions across the lower Columbia Basin east to the
Blue Mountains foothills. Dust may reduce visibility to just a few
hundred yards in some areas, which could result in hazardous
travel. If you are traveling, slow down if you encounter high
winds and/or blowing dust.

As far as the morning update goes, the forecast is largely on
track. A few minor tweaks were made to PoPs, snow amounts and
associated weather grids. Nudged peak winds upward slightly across
the Columbia Basin and Blue Mountains foothills. Otherwise, just
brought in the most recent observations to establish trends. All
existing watches, warnings, and advisories remain unchanged.

&&

.AVIATION...18z TAFs...Strong frontal system will bring gusty winds
to all sites this afternoon through early Monday morning. Winds will
primarily be out of the W/SW, sustained at 25-30 kts and gusting as
high as 50 kts, with locally higher amounts possible. Sites outside
of DLS/RDM/BDN may also experience vsby reductions due to blowing
dust, especially during the strongest winds this afternoon into the
early evening. Some light rain showers possible as the front passes
through, however main impact will be winds and blowing dust. Cloud
cover will be sct-bkn through the period, with cigs around 5-10 kft.
74

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
PDT  69  31  51  29 /   0  60  10   0
ALW  69  34  54  31 /   0  60  10  10
PSC  67  35  60  31 /   0  10   0   0
YKM  61  30  58  28 /  20  10   0   0
HRI  70  33  57  31 /   0  40   0   0
ELN  57  28  52  28 /  40  30   0   0
RDM  66  23  47  21 /   0  30  10   0
LGD  65  27  44  26 /   0  80  20  10
GCD  68  26  46  26 /   0  60  20  10
DLS  62  35  54  33 /  40  60  20   0

&&

.PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT Monday for
     ORZ041-505-510-511.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 11 AM PDT
     Monday for ORZ502.

     Blowing Dust Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT
     Monday for ORZ044-507.

     High Wind Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT Monday
     for ORZ044-507-508.

WA...Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT Monday for
     WAZ024-026-027-521.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 11 AM PDT
     Monday for WAZ030.

     Blowing Dust Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT
     Monday for WAZ028-029.

     High Wind Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT Monday
     for WAZ028-029.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM PDT
     Monday for WAZ520.

&&

SHORT TERM...79
LONG TERM....93
AVIATION...74

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
1227 PM PDT SUN MAR 28 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1215 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NW WEST RICHLAND      46.36N 119.46W
03/28/2021  M58 MPH          BENTON             WA   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DW9572 BENTON CITY.

&&

JAS