Very windy Thanksgiving Eve

A very windy Thanksgiving Eve is expected for much of Central and Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle.  Last week some model solutions were further north with this storm giving the Inland NW a better threat for snow by Thanksgiving.  While snow is still expected for some areas (mainly Cascades, Blue Mountains, Camas Prairie, Central Panhandle Mountains) winds look the bigger story as the storm taking a southward shift.

Here is an early look at potential wind gusts Wednesday as of our Sunday morning forecast.

NWS forecast issued Sunday morning - Peak wind gusts Wednesday, November 27th, 2019

And with these winds we could see some impacts across the region.

Thanksgiving Eve is one of the busiest travel days of the year.  Depending on which roads you're traveling you may experience strong tailwinds, headwinds, crosswinds, or a combination of all. Please monitor the latest forecasts and travel safe.
  
This is an interesting storm.  The maps that follow are forecast maps of Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP).  The two most important things to know when looking at these maps are

1) Winds blow from high pressure (H) to low pressure (L)

2) The closer the lines are too each other the stronger the wind.

Let's begin with 4 AM Tuesday.

00z GFS forecast of MSLP valid 4 AM PST Tuesday, November 26th, 2019

A weak low off the northern Oregon coast.  Note the large spacing of the pressure lines (pink) over Washington and north Idaho meaning weak winds.  Nothing of much interest yet.

00z GFS forecast of MSLP valid 4 PM PST Tuesday, November 26th, 2019

Whoa!  The storm has intensified greatly in just 12 hours from 1006 mb to around 973 mb.  Note the northeast winds beginning to increase over our region as pressure gradients begin to tighten with the approaching storm.

00z GFS forecast of MSLP valid 4 AM PST Wednesday, November 27th, 2019

Wednesday is when winds increase even further.  Thankfully, the storm over Oregon weakens, but the squeeze is on between high pressure to our north, and the Oregon storm to our south.   Note the tight packing of the pressure gradient.  The graphic above was from one model solution (GFS).  Other model solutions such as the European and Canadian show a similar depiction. 

With the strong northeast winds will come colder air, here are the forecast highs for Thanksgiving Day.

NWS Forecast issued Sunday morning of high temperatures Thanksgiving Day

And the cold will likely stick around for awhile.  Here are the 6-10 and 8-14 day temperature outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center.

CPC 6-10 day temperature outlook issued Nov 23rd valid Nov 29-Dec 3rd, 2019

CPC 8-14 day temperature outlook issued Nov 23rd valid Dec 1st-7th, 2019

Although currently the cold pattern looks like a dry one with latest CPC 6-10 outlook favoring drier than normal.

CPC 6-10 day precipitation outlook issued Nov 23rd valid Nov 29-Dec 3rd, 2019

But let's not forget what's bringing us the colder weather.  And that is strong northeast winds on Wednesday.  Those with Thanksgiving Eve travel plans should monitor the latest forecasts.  And if you are traveling to other states especially south or east, snow could impact your travel.  For the latest forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories visit weather.gov or for local travel plans across Central and Eastern Washington and north Idaho weather.gov/spokane