National Weather Service issues High Wind Watch

National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch for the Orofino/Grangeville Region, Northern and Southern Clearwater Mountains and the Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.

Southwest winds 25 to 40 miles per hour with damaging gusts over 50 mph expected and greater than 60 mph possible. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible.

Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Winds could gust over 70 mph in the Camas Prairie, including Grangeville. Bursts of heavy snow and winter driving conditions are possible in higher valleys and over mountain passes.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

Orofino

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 10 to 13 mph becoming south southeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Tuesday night: Rain, mainly between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m. Low around 41. West southwest wind 9 to 18 mph becoming south southeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 a.m., then rain, mainly between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. High near 52. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: A 20% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind 15 to 20 mph becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Pierce

Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly between noon and 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday night: Rain, mainly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m. Low around 33. Breezy, with a south wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Rain showers and snow, becoming all snow after 10 a.m. Some thunder is also possible. High near 45. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday night: Snow likely, mainly after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.