Damaging Wind Gusts to 60 MPH Expected Overnight

Damaging wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour are possible on Wednesday night along the North Shore, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a high wind warning.

The strongest winds are expected “across coastal Essex County,” including Salem.

The high wind warning was issued just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday and runs until 8 a.m.on Thursday.

The warning means that winds of 40 mph or higher are expected and gusts of 58 mph are possible.

The warning is an upgraded version of the high wind advisory that was issued on Wednesday morning. Winds out of the northeast are expected to blow solidly at 25-35 miles per hour through the night.

“These strong winds will result in downed trees and power outages,” the weather service said. “The heavy rain combined with many fully leafed trees will likely exacerbate the potential for downed trees.”

At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, there were more than 4,000 homes and businesses without power in Essex County. Trees had fallen on wires, vehicles and homes across the region. No serious injuries had been reported.