Area residents are being advised to monitor weather forecasts in anticipation of a large storm Friday.

“This storm has the potential to be one of the stronger storms in recent memory,” National Weather Service meteorologist Carl Cerniglia said Wednesday from Seattle.

“We’re expecting rain and very windy conditions,” meteorologist Jeff Rood said at the same office.

Winds of up to 65 mph could sweep across the North Olympic Peninsula, Cerniglia said. On the coast, waves with towering swells of 25 feet are expected, Rood said.

The storm is the result of a forecasted low pressure area that will approach Western Washington on Friday and move across southern Vancouver Island late Friday night, Cerniglia said.

If the storm continues as forecast, the winds and rain should taper off Saturday.

On Christmas morning, Jefferson County residents got a mild taste of what is expected Friday, Rood said. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph were reported in Port Townsend on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, he said. Tree branches were knocked down, and in some cases, may have damaged power lines and poles.

Clallam County residents reported strong winds on the West End, with power “spikes” but no power outages late Wednesday afternoon.

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The rest of the story appears in the Thursday Peninsula Daily News Clallam County edition. Click on SUBSCRIBE, above, to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.