CHINOOK PASS SUMMIT, WASHINGTON — A powerful windstorm driven by a strong jet stream slammed into the Pacific Northwest Wednesday evening, producing an extreme 126 mph wind gust at Chinook Pass Summit in the Cascade Mountains.
The dramatic wind reading was recorded at the Chinook Pass wind gauge located around 6,240 feet in elevation, highlighting the intense conditions impacting mountain areas across Washington.
Extreme Wind Speeds Reported Across Washington
Weather stations across western Washington recorded numerous strong wind gusts as the storm intensified during the evening hours.
Among the highest wind speeds reported as of 8 p.m.:
- Chinook Pass Summit: 126 mph
- Alpental at Snoqualmie Summit: 94 mph
- Cape Disappointment: 69 mph
- Hoquiam: 61 mph
- Freeland: 57 mph
- Bellevue: 52 mph
- Everett: 52 mph
- Forks: 51 mph
- North Bend: 51 mph
- Kingston: 50 mph
- Seattle: 47 mph
- Gig Harbor: 45 mph
These widespread wind reports show how the storm is impacting both mountain and coastal areas as well as cities across western Washington.
Blizzard Conditions in the Cascade Mountains
The extreme winds over the higher terrain help explain why blizzard warnings have been issued across parts of the Cascade Mountains throughout the day…