Thunderstorm Wind — Spokane, Washington

2005-06-21 · near Spokane, Spokane, Washington

Wider weather episode

On the evening of the 21st, two severe thunderstorm gust fronts moved across eastern Washington. The first one hit between the hours of approximently 5pm PST to around 7pm from northern Spokane County to eastern Stevens and western Pend Orielle Counties. Widespread power outages, downed trees and structure damage was caused by the severe thunderstorm wind gusts. In Spokane County, the Spokane International Airport measured sustained winds at 62 mph with a gust to 77 mph. This was the highest wind gust measured on record. There was wind damage to hangers and other structures at the Fairchild Air Force Base. There was widespread structure damage and power outages to the town of Airway Heights. In Pend Orielle County, numerous power outages and downed trees were reported. A barn and a truck were damaged at the Fairgrounds of Newport.The second severe thunderstorm gust front occurred between the hours of 630pm and 815 pm PST. The severe winds first started across Adams and Whitman Counties and moved north to eventually affect southern Pend Orielle and Stevens Counties. In Adams county, the towns of Ritzville and Ralston had downed trees and many power outages with visibilities reduced to a half a mile in blowing dust. In Whitman County, an official weather sensor measured a wind gust to 61 mph. Widespread fallen trees, power outages, fire starts and structure damage were experienced near the towns of Rosalia and St. John. In northeastern Lincoln County, the town of Davenport was especially hard hit. Widespread power outages, fallen trees and some structure damage occurred. In Spokane County, at least 30,000 homes were without power. Many homes and businesses were damaged in the Spokane metro area. There were at least a dozen injuries due to the severe wind. The wind also caused at least a dozen fire starts visibility was reduced to a quarter of a mile at times across Spokane County. Southern Stevens and Pend Orielle Counties were the last to be hit by the second severe thunderstorm wind gust. Many homes were without power along with some damage to structures. there were a few fire starts as well in both counties.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5456588. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.