We've had a mild fall here on Bainbridge Island, but this week the weather is revving up and bringing us high winds, more rain, and then cold and snow toward the end of the week. That means power outages are likely (outages that ideally won’t coincide with tonight’s college football National are likely Championship Playoff between number 2 University of Washington Huskies and number 1 University of Michigan Wolverines at 4:30).

The National Weather Service issued an urgent weather message early this morning (Monday, Jan. 8) warning of possible high winds in the Hood Canal area with wind gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory is in effect until 10 pm Tuesday night. Kitsap Transit is warning that some of its ferry sailings may be cancelled if the high winds make sea conditions unsafe. Sign up for Rider Alerts at kitsaptransit.com.

But that's not all. This morning the NWS also issued a Special Weather Statement warning of increased (but still marginal) landslide risk because of all the rain we're getting: 1–2 inches over the next two days.

And the third bit of weather news is that rain may be turning to snow starting Wednesday night as temperatures drop into the 30s and then 20s, with a daytime high of only 27 on Friday.

To prepare, make sure your vehicle is equipped with winter gear. Charge up your chargers and electronic devices. Wash those dishes. Flush those toilets. Make sure you have water and food. Never use a bbq grill indoors. If you haven’t yet, sign up for Nixle alerts from the City by texting 98110 to 888777.