Pacific Northwest Slammed by Extreme Wind Gusts as Washington Records a Stunning 142 MPH Peak at Coldwater Ridge
WASHINGTON & OREGON — A powerful windstorm blasted the Pacific Northwest over the last 24 hours, producing extraordinary and destructive wind gusts, including a staggering 142 mph reading at Coldwater Ridge, Washington.
The unprecedented wind speeds triggered widespread power outages, downed trees, and forced emergency responses across multiple counties.
A Powerful Windstorm Batters Washington and Oregon With Rare, Destructive Gusts
Meteorologists say the intensity of these gusts places the storm among the strongest wind events to strike the region in recent years.
Top Wind Gusts Reach Hurricane-Force Levels Across the Region
According to the latest wind data, several high-elevation and valley locations in Washington and Oregon recorded extreme wind readings:
- Coldwater Ridge, WA — 142 mph
- Mount Hood, OR — 138 mph
- Pigtail Peak, WA — 114 mph
- Pullman, WA — 102 mph
- Alder Ridge, WA — 99 mph
Wind gusts above 74 mph meet the threshold for Category 1 hurricane-force winds, and four locations exceeded or came close to major hurricane intensity.
Coldwater Ridge and Mount Hood experienced wind speeds more commonly associated with Category 4 hurricanes—a highly unusual occurrence for the Pacific Northwest.
Impacts: Power Outages, Hazardous Travel, and Structural Damage
Local utilities reported scattered to widespread outages overnight as winds toppled power lines and snapped large tree limbs.
Emergency officials also noted:
- Hazardous mountain pass travel
- Blowing debris creating road dangers
- Structural damage to rooftops and outbuildings
- Increased avalanche concerns due to wind loading at high elevations
Communities such as Pullman, where gusts exceeded 100 mph, saw reports of downed trees and temporary loss of services.
Why the Winds Were So Extreme
The event appears tied to a strong Pacific jet stream interacting with steep terrain and a deep low-pressure system offshore.
These ingredients combined to produce powerful downslope wind events and intense ridgeline gusts.
Coldwater Ridge, located near Mount St. Helens, is known for exposure to high winds, but 142 mph is an exceptionally rare value for the region.
Meteorologists are analyzing whether this could rank among the highest non-thunderstorm wind gusts recorded in the Pacific Northwest this decade.
What’s Next for Residents
While the strongest winds have diminished, forecasters urge residents to remain cautious:
- Avoid forested roadways where branches may still fall
- Treat all downed power lines as live
- Prepare for additional outages as infrastructure crews work to restore service
Further Pacific storms may approach later in the week, though none are currently expected to match the intensity of this wind event.
For continued weather coverage and updates on storms impacting the U.S., stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.