Wind Advisory and WSDOT extends studded tire removal deadline

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Wind
Advisory... which is in effect from 7 am to 5 PM PDT Friday.

* Winds: south winds will increase to 25 to 35 with local gusts as
high as 50 mph.

* Timing: strongest winds are expected to occur with and behind
the cold front... which is expected to pass through the
Willamette Valley late Friday morning. Peak winds should occur
between 10 am and 3 PM.

OLYMPIA - Due to the threat of more severe winter weather forecast for the Cascade mountain range, Washington State Department of Transportation officials today extended the deadline to remove studded tires through April 10.

Drivers must remove their studded tires by 12:01 a.m., Sunday April 11.

On the WSDOT Winter Driving Web site (www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter), you can find ways to prepare for winter driving, winter driving tips, plus more about WSDOT's winter roadway operations, snow and ice removal and avalanche control.

WSDOT advises drivers to know before you go:

* Get information before you leave about traffic and roadway conditions, including the mountain passes, on our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
* 511 - This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
* Sign up for and follow WSDOT news at www.wsdot.wa.gov/news. There you can sign up for WSDOT E-mail alerts, Twitter feeds, read the blog and see WSDOT photos on Flickr.