The National Weather Service in Spokane warns of strong winds and winter driving conditions in Central Washington. Locally strong gusts are affecting areas around Wenatchee, Ellensburg, Vantage, and Waterville as a cold front moves through. Accumulating snow in the Cascades and Idaho Panhandle is expected to create hazardous conditions at mountain passes.
While winds remain strong, gusts have decreased from near 70 mph to around 45 mph on ridgetops, with lower elevations experiencing gusts between 30 and 50 mph. This reduction may alleviate concerns about downed trees and power lines. However, tree damage is still likely in higher elevations due to earlier extreme winds.