Des Moines, IA – A High Wind Warning remains in effect through 9 a.m. Wednesday for much of western, central, and northern Iowa, with gusts up to 60 mph expected to continue overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.
Forecasters report sustained northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with peak gusts reaching 60 mph, affecting communities including Des Moines, Ames, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Carroll, and Marshalltown. The strong winds are expected to persist through the early morning hours before gradually easing late Wednesday morning.
The NWS warns that these winds could down trees and power lines, leading to widespread outages across parts of the region. Travel will be dangerous, particularly for high-profile vehicles such as semis, RVs, and trailers. Loose outdoor items should be secured, and residents are urged to stay indoors and away from windows during peak wind gusts.
Officials recommend that drivers use extreme caution if traveling overnight, as blowing debris may cause sudden hazards. For real-time road and outage information, visit 511ia.org or follow updates from local emergency management offices.
