High Winds, Scattered Power Outages Coming: How Windy Will It Get?

If you live in an area that is prone to power outages you may want to make some preparations for the possible loss of electricity this afternoon, the National Weather Service says.

The NWS has issued a High Wind Warning for our area that will be in effect from 2 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday, when winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph are forecast to blow through our area.

And they could blow down tree limbs, trees and power lines, causing scattered power outages as they do, particularly because the ground is saturated as a result of recent rainfall.

In fact, the weather service said scattered power outages are “expected” in the warning area, which includes Lehigh, Northampton and Upper Bucks counties.

“A surge of winds just behind the passage of a strong cold front late this afternoon will result in 45 to 55 mph gusts,” the NWS said in a statement about the wind warning. “Otherwise, winds during the overnight will generally gust 35 to 45 mph. Starting Monday morning, strong winds gusting 55 to 60 mph will affect the area.”

“It will not take much wind to result in downed trees and power lines,” the statement warned.

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage, according to the National Weather Service.

For its part, local power company PPL said in a tweet Friday that it is aware of the approaching high winds.

“It’s going to be a windy weekend!” @PPLElectric tweeted. “We expect winds to hit our area Sunday and Monday. If you experience an outage, text OUTAGE to TXTPPL or visit http://ow.ly/VNgr50lYcGu.”

A power outage affected the Leithsville area of Lower Saucon Township last week. When a car careened off Route 412 near Apples Church Road during a winter storm Wednesday, it struck a utility pole, bringing down wires that cut power to several hundred homes and businesses in the area.