Wind warning issued as early fall storms are expected to hit western Washington

SEATTLE- They don't necessarily have to be the first storms of the fall season strongest cause the most damage of the year.

At this time of year, when the trees are still fairly leafy and some branches are naturally weakened by the dry and hot summer months, it doesn't take a big gust to bring down a branch or two.

That’s why early fall storms are called “Mother Nature’s tree trimmers.”

A narrow, compact low will move quickly past Western Washington overnight. So today it will be nice and dry and slightly windy, with winds blowing up to 45 miles per hour in places overnight. It will rain too.

A wind advisory is in effect for the North Shore, the Admiralty Inlet area and San Juan County from Friday through early Saturday morning. These are the areas where the risk of power outages and tree damage overnight is highest, particularly the south-facing portions of these islands.

Gale warnings for hazardous seas are in effect this evening for the eastern entrance waters of the Strait of Juan De Fuca, Admiralty Inlet and Pacific coastal waters.

Some of the forecast models even predict gusts of 50 to 60 mph near Friday Harbor and Oak Harbor. Tree damage and downed power lines are likely to occur there after dark Friday and into early Saturday morning.

Lighter winds of 20 to 35 mph are possible from Mukilteo south toward Olympia, but an isolated gust of 40 to 45 mph is possible.

Storm warnings for hazardous seas are in effect this evening for the eastern entrance waters of the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Admiralty Inlet, as well as the Pacific coastal waters.

Winds are expected to strengthen around The Sound around midnight on Friday evening and will be strongest until 7am on Saturday. Some islands may experience gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, with wind producing showers moving through.

Winds will ease throughout the day on Saturday, with occasional showers continuing into Sunday and weakening on Monday. Rainfall totals of 1 inch are possible in lowland areas over the weekend, with as much as 3 inches possible in the mountains.