The National Weather Service has scrapped a wind advisory that had been in place for parts of the United States on Christmas Eve as expected wind conditions weakened and forecast models improved, easing concerns about potentially disruptive gusts.
Earlier forecasts had indicated that strong winds could affect regions such as the Pacific Northwest, where local offices had issued advisories for elevated winds between morning and afternoon hours on Wednesday.
However, the stand-down of those advisories reflects a shift in the meteorological outlook as the previously anticipated high-wind event failed to materialise with sufficient strength to meet advisory criteria.
Meteorologists monitor multiple weather patterns through the week leading up to Christmas, and the National Weather Service deploys wind advisories to alert the public when sustained winds and gusts are likely to pose hazards to travel, outdoor activities and unsecured objects.
As of the latest update, active high-wind alerts have diminished across forecast areas, indicating that wind threats have largely abated and that travel and holiday plans are less likely to be impacted by strong winds than earlier cautions had suggested.
Despite these improvements, forecasters continue to advise that holiday travellers stay informed of local conditions, as other weather hazards such as rain, snow or cold air can still influence travel safety in various regions.
The cancellation of the wind advisory is part of routine updates by the National Weather Service to ensure that public alerts remain closely aligned with the latest observational data and forecast guidance.