BUCKHANNON — The National Weather Service in Charleston upgraded the high wind watch for Saturday to a warning on Friday in advance of a system moving through West Virginia on Saturday.

“A strong spring storm will bring showers and thunderstorms today and tonight,” the NWS said Friday afternoon. “Storms tonight could bring localized damaging wind gusts. A greater potential for damaging winds exists on Saturday with gusts of 55 to 65 mph developing during the day. Similar to last Saturday, winds of this magnitude will likely cause widespread tree damage and power outages, some of which could be extended.”

The high wind warning in northern West Virginia runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Southwest winds are expected to measure 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” the NWS warns. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”

Showers are expected throughout the day, with a high temperature approaching 70 degrees.

“While winds will remain strong through the entire period of the warning, the highest winds are expected from late Saturday morning until early Saturday afternoon,” the NWS adds.