Winds up to 45 mph are expected to blow into the Puget Sound area, including Whidbey Island, this afternoon and may last until Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a warning Wednesday morning that south to southeast winds between 25 and 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are likely to occur Wednesday afternoon and possibly into Thursday.

The times listed are from 3 p.m. March 9 to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 10. Winds of that speed can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Recent heavy rains loosen the soil and can make trees with shallow roots less stable and more likely to uproot or topple. Do not touch any downed power lines.