Forecasters say it’ll be a very windy Wednesday in Iowa as a cold front blows in. Lows tonight are predicted in the single digits while highs tomorrow may only be in the teens and 20s statewide. Wind chills on Thursday could be well below zero.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donavon says a wind advisory covers 94 of Iowa’s 99 counties from late this morning through midnight tonight.
“We do have a very strong cold front that’s going to be moving into the state here by late this morning and then across the entire state by this afternoon,” Donavon says. “With that, we’re going to have very strong winds that’ll be associated with that cold front. Expect wind gusts by late afternoon and into the evening of anywhere from 45 to even 50 miles per hour.”
Iowans who have Christmas inflatables in their yards might want to double-check the bungee cords, and anyone driving a high-profile vehicle will need to use extra caution.
“Especially with all the holiday decorations that are out there, get those secured,” Donavon says. “In addition, if you’re out driving today, including on Interstate 80, I-35, you could see some cross winds across there that could cause some issues.”
High temperatures today may climb into the 40s before falling, and some frigid weather’s ahead.
“You’re going to have some very cold wind chills by Thursday morning, so we’re still looking at wind chill values anywhere from five-below to 15-below,” Donavon says, “but once we get past that, the wind will be diminishing through the day on Thursday, and we’ll be looking at a warm-up after that.”
High temps by Saturday are forecast to reach the 40s while we may see highs Sunday in the 50s.
(Additional reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)