70 miles per hour winds on the way; High Wind Warnings issued

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a damaging wind event.

All areas are under High Wind Warnings or Wind Advisories. Because of that, I’m anticipating snow changing to rain across most valleys throughout Tuesday with highs in the 40s. High winds candown trees, damage property and cause fairly widespread power outages.

Parts of Glacier National Park, the Continental Divide and Pintler Mountains may see winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, near the level of a category 1 hurricane. A Gale Warning is in effect through this evening for SW winds rising to 25-30 knots gusting 40 with combined seas 14 feet at 12 seconds.

Tonight there is a 100 percent chance of rain after 11 p.m. New precipitation could be between a quarter and half of an inch. Meanwhile strong gusts will be possible at any time during this period.

A forecast of snow will allow a few ski areas in Western Washington and Canada to open this week. There will likely be renewed urban and small stream flooding in the lowlands, and landslide risk remains high.

Tuesday will be sunny but chilly and windy, with a high of 39 degrees in Flagstaff.

There is also a slight chance of rain this morning in areas other than the deserts. After that, a dry stretch! Wind chills in Williams and Doney Park will be in the single digits, Sedona 17 degrees and Page 20 degrees.