45+ mph gusts to blast Tri-Cities. Snow to pound the passes

Windy weather is forecast for the Tri-Cities, building to gusts of up to 47 mph Monday night, according to the National Weather Service.

A high wind watch is issued from 6 p.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday for Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.

Sunday and Monday should be breezy with sustained wind speeds building to as high as 23 mph and gusts as high as 34 mph in the Tri-Cities.

The worst of the wind is forecast for Monday night into early Tuesday morning, with a southwest wind around 31 mph and gusts up to 47 mph forecast.

Downed trees and power lines are possible, says the weather service.

Residents are advised to secure trampolines and free-standing basketball hoops.

Travel in parts of Washington and Oregon could be difficult for high-profile vehicles as people return to the Tri-Cities at the end of the three-day weekend.

Gusts up to 50 mph on Interstate 84 in Hermiston and Arlington, Ore., are forecast Monday night. At Pendleton on I-84 and in Walla Walla and Dayton, gusts up to 55 mph are forecast.

Travelers crossing the Cascade Mountains can expect gusts up to 40 mph Monday night into Tuesday morning, plus blowing snow on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass.

A winter storm watch is issued for the pass from 4 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Monday night 3 to 5 inches of new snow is forecast, with another 6 to 10 inches forecast for Tuesday.