A Pacific storm will be uncharacteristically strong for the month of April as it passes off the Washington state coast on Friday with wind gusts topping up to 70 miles per hour.
>> Download the KIRO 7 weather app here to get weather alerts around your home.
As of Friday morning, the track of the system looks like it will help Western Washington miss a major wind event, according to KIRO 7 Meteorologists.
>> Read updates on weather damage and power outages here
A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Seattle area.
"A High Wind Warning is in effect for the coast for sustained wind 25-40 mph and some gusts to 60-70 mph. The Puget Sound region is under a Wind Advisory for sustained wind of 25-35 mph with gusts around 45-55 mph. Locations north of Everett have a High Wind Warning, which means sustained wind of 25-40 mph with gusts of 50-60 mph," KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard said.
The low pressure system that is wound up offshore is unusually strong for this time of year, but it will fortunately be making landfall Friday evening over Northern or Central Vancouver Island and not closer, and that means that we will avoid a major, destructive windstorm.
Still, wind gusts of 30-45 mph in many populated areas Friday with isolated stronger gusts over 50-55 mph will cause sporadic to numerous power outages. Trees aren't fully leafed out yet, but the ground is still wet so some trees and branches are expected to come down.
Most inland areas will have sustained wind around 25-35 mph with gusts between 40-55 mph. Look for stronger wind over the north interior that will approach 60 mph, and even potentially 70 mph at the coast.
Timing
The wind will increase from south to north, so expect the South Sound to start the peak a little earlier than the central sound.
Olympia and the South Sound will probably enter its peak around late morning into midday.
In Olympia, a tree fell down on northbound I-5 late Friday morning, blocking a right lane as the wind picked up. No one was hurt.
The Central Sound will enter its peak early to mid-afternoon, with a secondary max this evening.
The coast will peak between about 10 a.m. and late afternoon.
The North Interior from late this morning until Friday evening.
Friday evening, wind will taper and that will set us up for a weekend with occasional showers and sun breaks.