Coast-to-coast storm unleashing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain across Northwest as power outages skyrocket
A multifaceted coast-to-coast storm is beginning to move out of the Pacific Northwest and into the Northern Plains and the Rockies, packing powerful wind gusts of 50-70 mph. Gusts could even approach 80-90 mph. Driving and air travel conditions will deteriorate across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and the Dakotas as the day progresses. This storm will move into the Midwest by Thursday and eventually reach the East Coast on Friday.
A massive coast-to-coast storm is charging across the country, packing hurricane-force wind gusts and will impact more than 30 states by the end of the week.
POLAR VORTEX BLANKETS EASTERN US WITH DANGEROUS ARCTIC AIR AS NEARLY TWO DOZEN STATES FEEL EXTREME BLAST
This powerful storm is beginning to move out of the Pacific Northwest, where heavy rains have exacerbated last week’s historic flooding in Washington, into the Northern Plains and Northern Rockies Wednesday, bringing vicious wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph.
Powerful wind gusts compounded the existing power outages caused by the ongoing flooding across Washington early Wednesday.
Overview of this week’s coast-to-coast storm.
(FOX Weather)
A 71 mph wind gust was clocked at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, and a 138 mph gale was recorded on Mount Hood, Oregon.
SNOHOMISH, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 14: In an aerial view, a person stands atop of property engulfed by floodwater on December 14, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. Atmospheric rivers are expected to continue in the coming days as northern Washington continues reeling from historic flooding late last week. Mass flooding along the Pacific Northwest caused historic flooding, tens of thousands of evacuations, and dozens of Coast Guard rescues.
(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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Early Wednesday, power outages impacted more than 350,000 customers in Washington and another 200,000 in Oregon.
Washington Power Outages
(FOX Weather)
As this storm begins its trek across the country, these powerful wind gusts could have the potential to cause delays at airports as holiday travel begins to increase.
From there, the storm will spread mostly heavy rain, strong winds and some snow as it tracks east across the country through the end of the workweek.
Wednesday: High winds blast Northern Plains and Northern Rockies
The area of low pressure associated with this storm is expected to deliver wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph across much of Montana, as well as parts of Idaho, Wyoming, and the Dakotas on Wednesday. Isolated gusts could even approach 80 to 90 mph.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories across Montana through Wednesday. Temperatures will be cold enough for snow across the region, which, combined with strong wind gusts, could lead to periods of whiteout driving conditions.
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Exclusive FOX Model Gust Forecast
(FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, the powerful wind gusts prompted the NWS to issue Fire Weather Warnings across parts of Colorado through Wednesday. Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Pueblo are covered under this warning.
COLORADO OFFICIALS WARN OF POSSIBLE PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF DUE TO FIRE RISK FROM STRONG WINDS
Strong winds coming down the Rocky Mountains combined with the relatively dry conditions across the state could quickly spread any fires that spark.
Fire Weather Alerts
(FOX Weather)
The system is expected to fully exit the Northwest by Wednesday night.
Thursday: Whiteout driving conditions possible in Upper Midwest, rain expected across Mississippi River Valley
Moving into Thursday, the main area of low pressure driving the storm is expected to hug the U.S.-Canada border, while a strong and fast-moving cold front surges southward.
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Over 50 mph wind gusts and snow will remain the main concern for both drivers and those traveling by plane across the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa.
Early morning rain is forecast to turn into snow by Thursday afternoon across the Dakotas, Minnesota and Michigan, and whiteout conditions will again be the main travel issue through Thursday night.
Snow began to fall across Cincinnati on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Public schools were canceled.
(Katie Byrne/FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, the cold front will deliver rain on Thursday to areas farther south in the Midwest, as well as the Mississippi River Valley and parts of the South.
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This rain could help melt snow after last week’s winter storms blanketed cities like Chicago, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
Southern Missouri, Arkansas and the Tennessee Valley will all see rain by Thursday evening, as the storm could cause delays across a swath of airports across the central U.S.
Potential airport delay forecast.
(FOX Weather)
Friday: Snow stays confined to lake-effect regions, Interstate 95 washout to end week
The final leg of the storm is forecast to reach the East Coast late Thursday night into Friday, as the strong cold front sweeps through the region.
WHAT IS LAKE-EFFECT SNOW?
The parent area of low pressure will remain well within Canada, keeping the coldest air and snow locked to the north. However, lake-effect snow regions off of Lakes Erie and Ontario, as well as the interior Northeast.
Meanwhile, Friday morning could feature a widespread washout from Maine all the way down to Florida.
FILE – NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – OCTOBER 12: A man holding an umbrella battles with powerful winds and heavy rain during the powerful nor’easter at the Brighton Beach, in Brooklyn, New York, United States on October 12, 2025. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for eight counties of the state and canceled the Columbus Day Parade in New York City after urging New Yorkers to continue to prepare as a strong coastal storm is set to impact much of New York beginning Sunday afternoon.
((Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
The rain could lead to some isolated flash flooding across northern New England due to extra water runoff from snow-covered grounds. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has issued a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk for an area covering northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
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Across the northeast coast, periods of heavy rain and strong wind gusts could cause air travel disruption across some of the country’s busiest airports.
Expected rain and snowfall.
(FOX Weather)
Farther south, warm air could allow for the potential development of some severe thunderstorms over Kentucky and Tennessee on Friday morning.
This latest storm bears out the long-range outlook from NOAA last month that forecast an active start to meteorological winter, due in part to the La Niña climate pattern.
Check for updates on this developing story.
