Strong To Damaging Winds To Continue

Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
     The National Weather Service in Burlington, continues the Wind Advisory for the Champlain Valley, and Western Slopes of the Green Mountains. Champlain Valley Weather continues a High Wind Warning for the Northern Champlain Valley, and a Wind Advisory for the Central, and Southern Champlain Valley, as well as the Western Slopes of the Green mountains in Vermont.
     Winds are continuing to be very strong across the region this morning. In-fact Swanton Vermont was experiencing Warning Criteria winds, and Burlington Vermont was near Warning criteria winds as expected. I thought it would come in the form of 60MPH gusts, but instead its coming in a more impressive 40MPH sustained wind! Currently on the South end of Swanton near the Swanton/ St. Albans Town line, winds are sustained at 40MPH, with gusts to 51MPH, at the Champlain Country Club. In Burlington, winds are sustained at 36MPH, with gusts to 51MPH. In Swanton Village winds are sustained at 28MPH with gusts to 44MPH. In Highgate winds are sustained at 20MPH with gusts to 40MPH. In Grand Isle winds are sustained at 18MPH with gusts to 40MPH. In Plattsburgh winds are sustained at 12MPH with no significant gusts. With that said it appears that the strongest winds are on the Vermont side of the Champlain Valley, however the High Wind Warning will remain in place for the Northern New York side of the Champlain Valley, as winds should still increase to Warning criteria, especially as the cold front approaches.
     As winds continue to strengthen, numerous power outages are starting to come in. As of 8:14AM 195 power outages have been reported in Vermont, with 185 of those outages being in the Champlain Valley, and 81 of those reports being from Grand Isle County alone! The hardest hit areas at this time are Franklin, Chittenden, and Grand Isle Counties in Vermont. The numbers have actually been rising rapidly over the past hour.
     In the Warning area winds should increase a little more before peaking out later this morning. Sustained winds will range from 25-40MPH with gusts in the 50-55MPH range with the potential for isolated gusts to 60MPH in wind prone locations of the Northern Champlain Valley. Winds of this magnitude will continue to bring trees, and large tree limbs down, resulting in additional power outages. Some structural damage is possible as well.
    In the Advisory area, winds should increase a little more as well and peak by later this morning. Sustained winds will range from 20-30MPH with gusts to 50MPH. Winds of this magnitude will continue to bring down small tree branches and smaller trees. The potential will continue to exist for isolated power outages in the Advisory area. Stay tuned for further updates!