|
|
January 7, 2007 High Wind Event
|
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. |
| |
| Location (County) |
Peak Gust |
Time (PST) |
| Chelan 3W (Chelan) |
E 70-80 mph |
115 pm |
| Manson (Chelan) |
74 mph |
228 pm |
| Pangborn Field Wenatchee (Douglas) |
72 mph |
239 pm |
| Leavenworth 2NW (Chelan) |
67 mph |
300 pm |
| East Wenatchee 7S (Chelan) |
64 mph |
214 pm |
| Winchester 12SE (Grant) |
54 mph |
755 pm |
| Bayview 13 ESE (Shoshone) |
54 mph |
405 pm |
| Carlton 5E (Okanogan) |
53 mph |
155 pm |
| Worley 3N (Kootenai) |
53 mph |
110 pm |
|
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 |
|
|
|
Webmaster
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Spokane Weather Forecast Office
2601 N. Rambo Rd.
Spokane, Washington 99224
Tel: (509) 244-0110
|
Disclaimer
Information Quality
Credits
Glossary |
Privacy Policy
Freedom of Information Act
About Us
Career Opportunities
|
National Weather Service Mission: "The
National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather,
hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for
the United States, its territories, adjacent waters
and ocean areas, for the protection of life and
property and the enhancement of the national economy.
NWS data and products form a national information
database and infrastructure which can be used by
other governmental agencies, the private sector,
the public, and the global community." |
|
|
www.weather.gov 
