A powerful frontal system packing very strong winds tracked across eastern Washington and north Idaho on Sunday, January 7th. The strongest gusts impacted areas along and just east of the northern Cascades, including the Wenatchee and Waterville areas, where peak wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were clocked between approx. 1300 and 1500 hours. The high winds toppled trees and resulted in widespread power outages and significant property damage.

The National Weather Service in Spokane issued a High Wind Watch for the Wenatchee Area and Waterville Plateau during the afternoon of Saturday, January 6th. The watch was upgraded to a High Wind Warning just before 9pm PST Saturday, January 6th. A sampling of the wind gusts measured during this event are included in the table below. A complete listing of all reports received can be found here.

Visible Satellite Images

The visible satellite images below nicely illustrate the extensive mountain wave cloudiness that was observed east of the Cascades during this high wind event. Mountain waves develop when relatively stable, fast moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-level wind is blowing.  This deflection creates a gravity wave downwind of the topographic barrier not unlike a wave you might generate by throwing a pebble into a pond. These waves often develop in the lee of the Cascades during high wind events such as the one that occurred on January 7th.

10 am PST

Noon PST

2 pm PST