Peak Winds Hit Record Highs Around The Columbia Basin

The National Weather Service out of Pendleton reported peak winds yesterday with our local airports and you'll be shocked by some of the record wind speeds around the Columbia Basin. 

The fastest winds reported yesterday were at the Ellensburg Airport at a record 66 MPH.

You'd think Tri-Cities could do better since we are known to be the wind champs around here and we only placed in the top 5.

Winds at the Tri-Cities Airport hit 45 MPH yesterday.

Other airports posting high winds were the Dalles at 54 MPH and Le Grande at 47 MPH.

Pendleton was 44 MPH with Yakima at 41 MPH. Other area airports like Walla Walla and Sunnyside averaged in the '30s

According to the NWS, we've got more strong winds on the way. The service posted this update on their service:

Heads-up! Strong northwest winds are expected to develop early this afternoon and persist through the evening.

The strongest gusts are expected in the Kittitas Valley that includes Ellensburg, I-90, and the Ryegrass Summit.

There you can expect winds of 30-35 mph with gusts 40-50 mph.

Elsewhere, moderate winds are also expected to impact the remainder of south central WA, north central OR and the Basin.

Impacts: Winds could blow around unsecured objects, tree limbs could be blown down, driving conditions changing, and patchy blowing dust may prompt reduce visibility in the Lower Basin.

Looking ahead, winds will start dying after Saturday and as we head into Mother's Day on Sunday.

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