National Weather ServiceWashingtonHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in Washington
The National Weather Service issued 20 high wind warnings for Washington in 2025 and 24 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 12th most of any state. 2026 through September: 6, 51% below the average of 12 for those months in 2008-2025. South Washington Coast was covered most often (169 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does Washington get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of Washington. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 6 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2009 | 23 |
| 2008 | 21 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Washington get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Washington?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Washington Coast | 169 | 17 | September 25, 2026 |
| North Coast | 92 | 10 | February 24, 2025 |
| San Juan County | 92 | 6 | December 24, 2025 |
| Admiralty Inlet Area | 90 | 5 | December 26, 2024 |
| Central Coast | 89 | 7 | February 24, 2025 |
| Western Whatcom County | 85 | 4 | December 26, 2024 |
| Western Skagit County | 69 | 3 | December 26, 2024 |
| Willapa Hills | 61 | 6 | September 25, 2026 |
| Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington | 27 | 5 | March 12, 2026 |
| Simcoe Highlands | 27 | 7 | May 13, 2026 |
| East Puget Sound Lowlands | 26 | 3 | November 19, 2024 |
| Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties | 24 | 7 | May 13, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest high wind warnings for Washington in AreaZine's record
NWS PortlandWarningSeptember 25, 2026
High Wind Warning: Willapa Hills, WA
Expired 11:00 a.m. PDT, September 25, 2026
NWS SpokaneWarningMay 11, 2026
High Wind Warning: Northeast Blue Mountains and Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties, WA
Expired 5:00 a.m. PDT, May 14, 2026
NWS PendletonWarningMay 11, 2026
High Wind Warning: Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon and Simcoe Highlands, OR and WA
Expired 11:00 p.m. PDT, May 13, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Washington.