La Crosse, Wis. – Wind gusts topping 40 mph are expected overnight across western Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, and northeast Iowa, making travel challenging into Friday morning. The strongest winds will hit areas west of the Mississippi River Valley, where lightweight objects could be blown around and high-profile vehicles may struggle to stay stable.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, widespread gusts of 30 to 40 mph will sweep the region, with localized gusts above 45 mph possible. The most severe impacts are likely along open stretches of highways and elevated roadways, particularly for truckers and RV drivers.
Communities including Rochester, Minn., Decorah, Iowa, and La Crosse, Wis., are under the highest threat window overnight. Power lines and tree limbs may be weakened, and scattered outages cannot be ruled out. Drivers are urged to secure outdoor items, limit nighttime travel if possible, and use extra caution when crossing bridges or passing larger vehicles.
Winds will gradually ease Friday morning, though gusty conditions are expected to linger into the afternoon. Additional updates will be issued if wind speeds intensify or cause damage.
