Wind gusts moving into North Carolina, from 25 mph in Raleigh to 60 mph in mountains
Wind advisories are in place for western North Carolina until midday on Thanksgiving, and it could be bad enough to make loose objects fly into the paths of holiday travelers, the National Weather Service warns.
The advisories are in effect from noon Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday.
Areas to the east — including Charlotte and Raleigh — will feel winds in the 15 mph range, with gusts of 22 to 25 mph, forecasters say.
“Isolated gusts to 60 mph are possible across the ridge tops,” forecasters warned for the mountains. “Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
Northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected through the foothills, NWS officials warn.
“Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects,” forecasters said in an alert.
The gusts are linked to a front moving through the area starting Wednesday afternoon, and it is raising concerns of something called a “mountain wave,” the National Weather Service says.
“The wave-like effect — characterized by updrafts and downdrafts — occurs above and behind a mountain range when rapidly flowing air encounters the mountain range’s steep front,” the NWS says.
This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 12:10 PM.