11:00am Update - Wind Advisories have been upgraded to "High Wind Warnings" for areas along and north of I-80. Wind gusts have exceeded 50 mph at Dubuque and the wind will continue to be strong until sundown tonight. Wind gusts over 50 are strong enough to bring tree limbs and power lines down. In addition, the wind could cause problems on north-south highways this afternoon.
Original Post - Wind Advisories are up for us today with winds that could gust to near 50 mph on the high side. This will be bad news for anyone traveling on I-80 this morning and on I-74 and US-61 this afternoon.
Different interstates and highways will be affected at different times because the wind will change directions today. This morning, the wind will be blowing perpendicular to I-80, causing quite a crosswind. In fact, the entire length of I-80 in Iowa and Illinois will be subject to some wind-hazards this morning. As the day wears on and the wind shifts out of the west. That means any eastbound travel on I-80 will mean great gas mileage. Around our region, US-61 and I-74 will be impacted with strong wind out of the west. Those hazards will mainly be for high-profile vehicles like buses, RVs, and semi trucks.
The peak wind will be around 3pm today when some tropical storm force wind gusts are likely.
The wind will gradually decrease as we look into tonight and Saturday, although it will remain breezy.
-Meteorologist Eric Sorensen
