High Wind — Greater Vancouver Area, Washington

2014-12-11 · Greater Vancouver Area, Washington

Event narrative

Two Weather observers reported measured wind gusts around 58 mph in Vancouver and a peak gust of 60 mph was reported on the Glen Jackson Bridge on Interstate 205. These strong winds resulted in numerous downed trees and tree limbs in the Vancouver metro area, and widespread power outages.

Wider weather episode

A 974 millibar surface low moved northward paralleling the Oregon coast around 80 miles offshore, and resulted in one of the strongest wind storms that Northwest Oregon had experienced in past several of years. The strongest winds occurred as high pressure filled in behind the low. Southwest Washington was less affected than Northwest Oregon, but still saw its fair share of gusty winds along the coast and the Vancouver metro area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 553049. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.