WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The winter of 2018 didn’t bring us much in the way of snow, but Friday is proving to make up for the bad weather in a big way through a giant nor’easter wind storm.
Power outages were already well into the tens of thousands for most major power companies in the region well before dawn, and with the Federal Government closing, some transit services never even bothered to open for the day.
Wind gusts were expected to be the worst from dawn until about Noon Friday, with gusts exceeding 70 miles an hour in some places. However, heavy wind gusts are expected to continue all the way to Sunday.
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement late Thursday evening which spells out how the weekend weather will go in detail:
…A HIGH-IMPACT WINDSTORM IS FORECAST FOR THE GREATER
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON REGION OF THE MID-ATLANTIC OVERNIGHT THROUGH
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING…
At 10:00 PM EST, winds are rapidly increasing in the Potomac
Highlands, with reports of a 59 MPH wind gust in Petersburg, WV,
48 MPH wind gust in Harrisonburg, VA, and a 60 MPH wind gust in
Monterey, VA.
High winds will continue to progress eastward towards the major
metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington overnight. By
daybreak, winds across the region will be from the northwest
sustained at 30-40 MPH, with gusts 60-70 MPH. Isolated wind gusts
could reach 80 mph, particularly at higher elevations west of the
Interstate 95 corridor. The greatest winds will occur between 6:00
AM EST and Noon EST Friday; however, winds will continue to gust
from 55-65 MPH in the afternoon and continue through Friday night.
This will be a prolonged, high-impact windstorm for the region,
with many downed trees and power lines expected. In addition to
the magnitude of the high wind gusts, the duration of the winds
will add to the hazardous nature of this event, as winds will
continue through the weekend before diminishing below 30 mph
Sunday afternoon. This will hamper the repair of power lines and
tree removal.
Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles. Pedestrians will face very
hazardous conditions, and need to be aware of wind-borne
projectiles. People should avoid being outside in forested areas
and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower
levels of your homes during the windstorm, and avoid windows. If
you use a portable generator, follow manufacturer`s instructions
and do not use inside homes, garages, or apartments.
A High Wind Warning is in effect starting late this evening and
continuing through 6:00 AM EST Saturday. This includes the greater
metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington DC. A low pressure
system located this evening over western Pennsylvania will deepen
overnight and move to a position south of Cape Cod on Friday
morning.
Copyright 2018 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: NOAA)
