Thunderstorm Wind in Franklin County, Washington

A major severe weather event by Pacific Northwest standards occurred over central and northeast Oregon and southeast Washington on May 30th. A powerful upper level storm system moved across the area during the afternoon and evening helping to trigger severe thunderstorms. The airmass was unusually unstable for this area of the country with surface dewpoints well into the 60s. With strong upper level winds in place the stage was set for numerous fast moving intense storms through the afternoon and early evening. Numerous reports of damaging winds were received across southeast Washington as the storms moved through.