(Des Moines) A High Wind Watch and a High Wind Warning are in effect for southwest and west central Iowa today and tonight.
The National Weather Service issued the High Wind Watch for this afternoon and evening. A Wind Warning is in effect from 10:00 p.m. tonight through 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Forecasters are calling for west winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts as high as 50 to 60 miles per hour. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. The high winds will make travel difficult at times.
Additionally, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon today to 9:00 p.m. this evening. Strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures could combine to create extreme fire behavior.
