Weather: Wind advisory in effect for Vancouver area

Hang on. Tight.

The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a wind advisory throughout the area that will go into effect at 4 p.m. and could last through midnight.

A wind from the south blowing steadily at about 20 to 30 mph is expected. Gusts could be as strong as 45 mph.

“This system is quite potent by May standards and is expected to bring plenty of rain and wind to the local area later this afternoon and evening,” said Steve Pierce, an executive board member of the Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. “This system looks more like a mid-winter storm than one of late spring.”

The powerful winds are expected to make driving conditions adverse and could down trees, according to the weather service.

Pierce said it is rare to see a storm system of this size in May, but the jet stream is aimed directly at Oregon, which will help steer the system. “It is going to get pretty blustery this afternoon and into the evening. Residents along the coast have already experienced hurricane force winds today,” Pierce said. “Cape Blanco on the southern Oregon Coast gusted to 74 mph earlier today.”

Pierce said the pattern of unsettled weather will continue for the next several days