Very Windy!

A majority of the state is under Wind Advisories through the next couple of hours, and have been previously since this morning. A strong cold front has moved through the state and a tight pressure gradient along with it has whipped up these northwesterly winds to speeds up to 50 mph. Since this morning, over 30 weather stations across the state have had a wind gust over 40 mph. This number is increasing as over the past hours the winds have really increased, currently at my station near Terril, IA the wind gusts have been the highest of the day with measured gusts of 44 and 46 mph on separate occasions.

These winds should decrease as the sun sets, although a blustery night is still in store the winds should stay below 30 mph. These winds will help the temperatures from dipping down into the teens as they mix the air throughout the lower atmosphere. However, this still cold temperatures combined with that much wind will still make it feel like temperatures in the teens or lower.

Breezing conditions still exist for Thursday, but at least the sun should be shining. Expect conditions to calm and the temperatures level off in the mid 40s to mid 50s over the state by Friday and continue through the weekend.