Big Winds Blowing Across Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota

Strong winds are sweeping across the tri-state region this Wednesday, prompting weather alerts for dozens of communities across northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and southeast South Dakota.

According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls a Wind Advisory remains in effect until 3 PM CST today, with west winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts reaching up to 50 mph. Communities including Sioux Falls, Spirit Lake, Storm Lake, Orange City, Sioux Center, Spencer, Worthington, Luverne, and many others should expect blustery conditions through the afternoon.

Unsecured objects may be blown around, tree limbs could come down, and isolated power outages are possible. Drivers — particularly those operating high-profile vehicles like trucks, vans, or RVs — should use extra caution on the roads.

More serious is the Red Flag Warning running from 10 AM to 6 PM CST for areas along and south of Interstate 90. Combined with those powerful gusts, relative humidity is dropping as low as 15 percent — a dangerous combination for fire.

Any fire that ignites under these conditions can catch and spread with alarming speed. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged today across affected counties in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Residents throughout the region should secure loose items outside, stay alert to changing conditions, and avoid any activity that could spark a fire.