The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Wind Advisory for the Seattle region as a potent storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and damaging wind gusts starting Wednesday.

According to the local forecast for Wednesday, March 11, rain is expected to begin after 7:00 a.m. with a 100% chance of precipitation. Residents can expect between a quarter and a half-inch of new rainfall during the day, with temperatures reaching a high near 51 degrees. Winds will steadily increase throughout the afternoon, starting at 10 to 15 mph and reaching 20 to 25 mph, with initial gusts as high as 34 mph.

Conditions are expected to intensify late Wednesday afternoon as the formal Wind Advisory takes effect. The advisory is scheduled from 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through 6:00 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters warn of sustained southwest winds between 25 and 30 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph across portions of northwest and west-central Washington.

For residents located from Everett north—including Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties—a significant wind shift is predicted between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night. In these areas, strong southwesterly winds will transition to northwesterlies at 25 to 30 mph, maintaining dangerous gusts up to 50 mph through early Thursday morning.

NOAA warns that these gusty conditions could blow around unsecured objects and knock down tree limbs, which may result in scattered power outages. Drivers, particularly those operating high-profile vehicles, are urged to use extra caution on the roads. Residents are also advised to secure any outdoor items before the strongest winds arrive Wednesday afternoon.

The rainy conditions will persist into Wednesday night, with an additional tenth to a quarter-inch of rain possible and overnight lows dipping to around 42 degrees.