PORT ANGELES — The North Olympic Peninsula will experience high tides and strong winds over the next two days, and that could create dangerous offshore weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
The conditions began with the onset of King tides, or the highest tides of the year, which appeared across western Washington earlier this week.
In addition to high tides, coastal areas in Western Washington will experience high-speed winds and potential rain throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Maddie Kristell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the winds will be strongest offshore, although some wind impact will filter toward the coastal areas.
The wind will ramp up after 4 p.m. Tuesday, she said, and will have sustained winds that are about 30 to 35 mph with gusts between 45 mph and 55 mph.
The strong winds will taper off between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. Wednesday, Kristell added.
The wind will be coming from the east, which Kristell said is rather unusual and could create challenging waves and weather conditions within the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Although the winds and waves are expected to abate by Thursday, the King tides will be back in December.
Kristell said there will be stronger tides during the first week of December and then throughout Dec. 18-19.
When in effect, King tides are expected to be between 10 feet and 11 feet in La Push; 8 feet to 9 feet in the Dungeness area; and 9 feet to 10 feet in Port Townsend, according to Washington Sea Grant.
