Altoona, Pennsylvania – Power outages and hazardous travel conditions are expected across south-central Pennsylvania Friday as powerful west winds intensify, bringing the risk of falling trees, downed power lines, and dangerous driving conditions through the night.
According to the National Weather Service in State College, a High Wind Warning remains in effect for Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties until early Saturday morning. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph. The strongest winds will target ridgetop communities above 2,000 feet, especially from Friday afternoon through the evening hours.
In Blair and Cambria counties, wind gusts could lead to scattered road blockages from fallen trees, particularly on secondary and mountain roads. Altoona, Johnstown, Somerset, and Bedford may see sporadic power interruptions as utility crews respond to downed lines. Travel will be especially difficult for tractor-trailers, box trucks, and other high-profile vehicles along exposed stretches of roadway.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor furniture, holiday decorations, and loose items before winds peak. Drivers should use caution, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel during the strongest gusts. Charging mobile devices ahead of time is also recommended in case of extended outages.
Winds are expected to gradually ease after midnight, though isolated power issues and debris cleanup could continue into Saturday morning. No additional warnings are ruled out if conditions persist.
