POWERFUL WINDS BLOW ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PARTS OF USA

Nov. 13, 2003 — Strong winds, some reaching hurricane strength, blew across parts of the northeastern United States Thursday creating dangerous driving conditions and toppling trees and power lines. From southeastern Virginia all the way up to Maine, winds howled at 30 to 40 mph, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph. In State College, Pa., a non-thunderstorm wind was clocked at 74 mph, the wind speed of a minimal hurricane. At New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the wind was measured at 55 mph. In Boston, the winds were forecast to blow between 30 to 40 mph with gusts reaching 50 mph. In Caribou, Maine, the forecast called for winds gusts of up to 60 mph. (Click NOAA image for larger view of NOAA Experimental Wind Forecasts for 1 p.m. EDT on Nov. 13, 2003. Click here to view latest conditions. Click here to view map legend. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA National Weather Service forecasters say these regions of the USA will continue to experience these high winds right through Friday. In some parts, such as Pennsylvania, New York and Boston, high wind warnings were issued. High wind warnings are issued when sustained winds of 40 mph are expected for at least an hour with gusts of 58 mph or greater at any time. Winds blowing at these speeds can damage trees, power lines, property and create very dangerous driving conditions.

NOAA forecaster Mike Wyllie, with the NOAA National Weather Service forecast office in Upton, N.Y., said, “Strong and gusty winds will make it difficult to drive, especially high profile vehicles such as vans, tractor trailers and SUVs. People should be very careful when driving over bridges or overpasses.”

Strong winds also can blow around trash cans, lawn furniture and other loose outdoor objects.

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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Weather Service

NOAA Experimental Wind Forecasts

NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Offices

Media Contact:
John Leslie, NOAA National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622