WASHINGTON, USA — Forecasts are calling for damaging winds in western Washington Tuesday evening, particularly along the coast and in the Cascade foothills.
According to KING 5's Rich Marriott, a bomb cyclone forming off the coast is pulling wind out of eastern Washington and down across the Cascades.
Winds will be strong below the passes, impacting places like North Bend, Gold Bar and Enumclaw. Terrain may channel these winds as far out into the lowland as Maple Valley, SeaTac and parts of Tacoma and Bellevue.
Conditions will also be dangerous off the coast, where very cold air out of the Gulf of Alaska will collide with warm, subtropical air. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Storm Warning for much of the waters off the Washington coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday. Dangerous conditions are possible for sailors, including 22-foot to 27-foot waves.
"Very strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility," the NWS forecast reads. Sailors are advised to remain in port, alter their course, or secure their vessels for severe conditions.
RELATED: Western Washington Weather Forecast
A High Wind Warning will also go into effect from 2 p.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday along the coast, Western Strait of Juan de Fuca, the east Puget Sound lowlands and the Bellevue area. Wind speeds are expected to be 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 mph, according to NWS.
Winds have the potential to blow down trees and powerlines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
A Wind Advisory will be in effect for other areas around the Puget Sound region but winds are not expected to be as damaging. Winds are expected to be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
Farther south, the NWS issued a Hurricane Force Wind Warning for the waters off of Cape Shoalwater in Washington down to Cape Falcon, Oregon. Gusts could reach up to 80 miles per hour.
Widespread rain is expected during the day on Tuesday, continuing into the night.
In the Cascade Mountains, the system is expected to bring snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches Tuesday evening. The combination of high winds prompted NWS to issue a rare Blizzard Warning. There is a Winter Weather Advisory for Olympic National Park and some surrounding areas, where 12 to 24 inches of snow is expected to accumulate at elevations above 3,000 feet.
There is a Flood Watch in effect for one area of Mason County which will take effect on Tuesday night and remain through Wednesday afternoon. A portion of the Skokomish River, which is already running high, could be pushed above flood-stage. Anyone living in flood-prone areas should be prepared for impacts.