Christmas Eve windstorm predicted to blow into Western WA

(The Center Square) – Mother Nature appears set to give an unwanted gift to Puget Sound residents this holiday season, in the form of more inclement weather the day before Christmas.

The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for portions of northwest and west central Washington state from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening, Christmas Eve.

The weather service predicts east to northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph, which will shift to southerly afternoon winds of up to 35 mph and gusts of up to 65 mph.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” according to the USNWS. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”

A high-profile vehicle is any large vehicle, such as RVs, box trucks, semi-trucks or SUVs, that has a tall body, large surface area and high center ...