SPOKANE, Wash. — Multiple car crashes have been reported in Central Washington due to decreased visibility from blowing dust amid strong wind gusts.
A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Spokane and the surrounding areas from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday. The National Weather Service (NWS) said to expect southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
The advisory also applies to Grand Coulee, Coulee City, Spokane, Quincy, Mansfield, Waterville, Cheney, Wilbur, Othello, Moses Lake, Ephrata, Davenport, Ritzville, and Odessa.
There is also a dust advisory issued for Adams, Lincoln, Whitman, Stevens, Spokane and Grant counties through 6:30 p.m.
The NWS said to expect low visibility from blowing dust. They also said tree limbs could be blown down and there could be a few power outages. They advised to secure outdoor objects.
In a tweet, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Spokane said blowing dust showing up at the Warden Interchange on I-90. They told drivers to use caution and be prepared for blowing dust between Moses Lake and Ritzville. They said visibility for drivers may drop rapidly.
WSDOT also advised drivers to slow down and drive for the conditions on Twitter.
In response to the tweet posted by WSDOT, Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Bryant said WSP is investigating a two-car crash east of Moses Lake. Bryant also said the low visibility was a factor in the crash.
In addition to the tweet from NWS, Grant County Sheriff's Office tweeted that drivers should avoid Wheeler Rd. due to multiple collisions and low visibility.
There will also be a storm that will move through the Inland Northwest on Thursday that could also bring about a round of showers and storms later in the day.