SEATTLE -- A blustery fall storm packing strong winds is approaching, triggering a wind advisory for a wide area of Western Washington.

KIRO 7 Chief Meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson said it will be dry Monday night for most areas, but winds will pick up, reaching 20 to 30 mph along the coast and in the foothills.

"Strong winds will be affecting the cities of Index, North Bend, Black Diamond -- the cities that are right around the gaps of the Cascades," she said. "This is where wind will be coming from the east, shooting down rapidly."

Gusts will climb during the day Tuesday to the 35 to 55 mph range.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory that's in effect for the foothills and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph or gusts of 45 to 57 mph are likely. Winds that strong can snap small tree branches, topple small or shallow-rooted trees and cause local power outages, the Weather Service said.

Rain accompanies the storm, with the wettest says on Thursday and Friday, Stevenson said.

She said she expects a few scattered showers during the weekend, but it should be much drier than during the week.