PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A powerful storm system will move north along the coastline Wednesday, threatening to bring damaging winds to the Portland metro area on Christmas Eve.
A strong offshore low pressure system will increase in intensity early Wednesday morning as it moves along the coastline.
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As the storm approaches, strong surface pressure gradients will develop in the Willamette Valley, potentially producing damaging winds that could cause many people to lose power.
If the storm track is close enough to the coastline, brief southerly wind gusts could reach 60 mph in parts of the Portland metro area. Wind times look to be concentrated early morning into early evening Wednesday.
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The strongest gusts are most likely to occur in higher ground around Portland, such as the West Hills and for people living at higher elevations.
The biggest concern with such a setup is the potential for downed trees and power lines, which could cause widespread power outages. In view of the Christmas holidays, party and travel plans may be disrupted.
It’s worth noting that small changes in a storm’s track or intensity can significantly affect wind strength and the storm’s impact across an entire region.
Our confidence in our forecasts over the next 12 to 24 hours will continue to grow. If the low pressure moves further offshore, winds could weaken significantly on Wednesday.
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We encourage people to start preparing now by having holiday decorations, charging devices and having batteries and flashlights ready in case of a power outage. Drivers should be prepared for the possibility of hazardous driving conditions as loose debris may fall onto the roadway.
Stay tuned to the KOIN 6 Weather team as we track the chance of storms in Portland on Christmas Eve.
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