By Rod Hill on 2014-12-12
Portland's peak south wind gust of 67 mph at 5:23 p.m. Thursday, was the strongest wind at PDX since November 1981 when highs winds reached 71 mph. Plenty of tree branches and damage to be cleaned up, including a number of branches across this forecaster's deck! Much of the metro valley saw peak south winds between 50-55 mph.
The track of a low pressure center just offshore from the Oregon coast and moving south to north was the perfect Willamette valley wind track, which is why forecasters began warning of possible high winds back on Monday. Here is the official wind report from the National Weather Service:
Portland Metro & Willamette Valley
PDX 67 MPH
MT. TABOR 55
HILLSBORO 52
VANCOUVER 60
FOREST GROVE 58
MCMINNVILLE 61
SALEM 53
OREGON CITY 51
BATTLE GROUND 53
HAPPY VALLEY 53
TROUTDALE 52
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I am happy to forecast calm winds today and Saturday,
Meteorologist Rod Hill
Low Center May Bring Damaging Thursday Winds