Hazardous weather predicted for much of Eastern Washington this weekend

RITZVILLE – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for most of Eastern Washington for Memorial Day weekend.

The outlook begins Thursday, May 26, and continues through Tuesday, June 1.

The outlook does not include Benton, Franklin or Walla Walla counties.

West or southwest winds are expected to gust to between 35-45 mph beginning Thursday afternoon, according to the forecast.

Gusts were expected to begin in the Pullman, Moses Lake, Ritzville, Spokane and Wenatchee areas following the arrival of a strong cold front capable of toppling trees and causing power outages, the outlook said.

"Patchy blowing dust may also occur in parts of the Columbia Basin," the outlook said.