High wind warnings in the mid-valley are prompting officials to warn residents of potential power outages and driving hazards throughout the weekend.

“It’s a little difficult to predict wind speed, but it’s possible to see winds up to 50 mph in the valley,” said George Taylor of the Oregon Climate Service.

Rain and winds — possibly strong enough to uproot vulnerable trees — are possible throughout the weekend, said Taylor.

“This is a very different storm that what we saw one month ago,” Taylor said. “The last storm primarily affected the coast … this one will not be as windy at the coast but will be windy in the valley.”

Even though the winds were expected to taper off today, Benton County Emergency Management coordinator Peggy Pierson warned that the storm could have lasting effects.

“There could be debris on the roadway — branches, trees and power lines — in addition to power outages,” Pierson said. “We encourage people to check on members of the community who may not be as mobile … just a phone call or visit to see if they’re OK if the power goes out.”

On Friday, gusty winds blew out a transformer along Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany, near the Children’s Farm Home, although a Pacific Power official said no outages were reported in the area.

Ten houses on Old Peak Road west of Philomath lost power Friday but were expected to be back online that evening, according to Consumers Power.

The Pacific storm, marked by extreme low pressure, whooshed over the state Thursday and Friday, bringing high winds and snow that interrupted transportation on the state’s two main interstate highways, and closed a ski resort.

The Oregon Department of Transportation suggested that travelers reconsider plans for travel on Interstates 5 and 84 and U.S. 97.

Locally, light snowfall is expected above 2,000 feet in the Coast Range and Cascade Mountains and foothills, possibly including Alsea, limiting driving visibility.

“I suspect we’ll see some snow in the foothills but that it won’t reach the valley floor,” said George Taylor of the Oregon Climate Service.

In Southern Oregon’s mountains, the snowfall could amount to 10 inches to 18 inches Friday night, the weather service said, and road-clearing crews may not be able to keep up.

It said state highways in the mountains and north-south arteries such as Interstate 5 and U.S. 97 could be closed at times. That interstate was closed temporarily Thursday, and the Mount Ashland ski area closed Thursday and Friday.

The storm was more intense in California, where a blizzard warning was posted and then rescinded.

The snowfall hit Eastern Oregon hard, but it also held out the promise of moisture for pastures in the spring in a region affected by drought.

On Friday, the state Department of Transportation closed stretches of Interstate 84 from Hermiston to Baker City.

The winds also tore signs from businesses and at least one roof off buildings.

On the Oregon coast, winds were gusting above 60 mph — far below the readings during a brace of storms in early December that snapped tens of thousands of trees and caused flooding in coastal towns and the mountain community of Vernonia.

Associated Press reporters contributed to this report.