Winds to nearly 30 mph in Maple Leaf; forecast to increase

Update 5:50 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued a short-term forecast calling for hail and slick roads this evening:

SHOWERS QUICKLY MOVING FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST WILL

CONTINUE TO IMPACT WESTERN WASHINGTON THROUGH THE EVENING. DUE TO

LOW FREEZING LEVELS AND A MODERATE AMOUNT OF INSTABILITY SOME

SHOWERS WILL PRODUCE SMALL HAIL…GENERALLY AROUND PEA-SIZED.

SMALL HAIL PRODUCED FROM HEAVIER SHOWERS MAY TEMPORARILY PRODUCE SLICK

ROADWAYS AND CAUTION WHILE DRIVING IS ADVISED.

Update 2:35 p.m.: Hailing hard now. (Actually, it’s graupel.) Wind gusts 32 mph.

This morning’s windstorm has so far produced gusts topping 28 mph here at Maple Leaf Life.

More is expected through the early afternoon, possibly with gusts to 50 mph. From the Seattle office of the National Weather Service:

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 30 TO 39 MPH OR

GUSTS OF 45 TO 57 MPH ARE LIKELY. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN SNAP

SMALL TREE BRANCHES…TOPPLE SMALL OR SHALLOW-ROOTED TREES…AND

CAUSE LOCAL POWER OUTAGES.