Gale Warning Issued for Puget Sound Weekend
National Weather Service Seattle has issued a gale warning and wind advisory for western Washington through early Sunday.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Forecasts
Live Poll
Have you taken steps to prepare for this weekend's strong winds and possible outages?
The National Weather Service Seattle has issued a gale warning for Puget Sound and Hood Canal from 4 PM Saturday to 7 AM Sunday, along with a wind advisory for western Washington lowlands and islands from 6 PM Saturday to 4 AM Sunday. South winds of 25 to 35 knots are forecast over the Sound and Canal, with gusts up to 45 mph in the advisory area.
Why it matters
Strong winds are forecast to create hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility on the water. Gusty winds may also blow down tree limbs and cause a few power outages across the region.
The National Weather Service forecasts south winds of 25 to 35 knots over Puget Sound and Hood Canal, with 15 to 25 mph winds and gusts up to 45 mph in the wind advisory area. A Sunday high tide of 10.93 feet arrives during the strongest period, and the forecast does not address how those conditions will compare with prior storms in the region.
The players
National Weather Service Seattle
The Seattle office of the National Weather Service is the federal forecasting body responsible for issuing weather warnings and advisories across the Puget Sound region.
The details
Winds are forecast to begin as the tide moves into low tide and continue through the next high tide. Tonight's forecast also calls for cloudiness and rain in the late evening and early morning, with a quarter to a half inch of rainfall expected.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 4 PM: Gale warning takes effect for Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Saturday, November 7, 6 PM: Wind advisory takes effect for western Washington.
Sunday, November 8, 4 AM: Wind advisory expires.
Sunday, November 8, 5 AM: High tide of 10.93 feet.
Sunday, November 8, 7 AM: Gale warning expires.
Seasonal Patterns
Gale warnings for Puget Sound and Hood Canal are issued under National Weather Service wind criteria that trigger when sustained winds reach 25 knots or more over open water. This weekend's forecast of 25 to 35 knots places the event at the lower end of those thresholds, consistent with the fall storm pattern the region typically sees in November.
Secure loose outdoor items and avoid driving high-profile vehicles on exposed roads, especially Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Boaters on Puget Sound and Hood Canal should postpone trips during the gale warning window because seas could capsize or damage vessels.
The takeaway
Strong winds and a high tide arriving together raise the risk of coastal flooding and marine hazards, so plan ahead for the weekend. Checking the National Weather Service forecast again before Saturday evening will show whether conditions have shifted.
Further reading
For more context on the week's wind and rain outlook, see the Forecasts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Beach Drive Blog.
Live Poll
Have you taken steps to prepare for this weekend's strong winds and possible outages?
