High Wind Warning Issued for Central and Southern Minnesota; Gusts Up to 65 MPH Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a High Wind Warning for portions of central, south central, southwest, and west central Minnesota. The alert indicates that severe weather conditions are likely, with damaging winds expected to impact the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic scope across Minnesota, including the following counties:

• Douglas, Todd, Stevens, Pope, and Stearns
• Lac Qui Parle, Swift, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, and Meeker
• Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, and Sibley
• Redwood, Brown, Nicollet, Watonwan, and Blue Earth
• Waseca, Martin, Faribault, and Freeborn

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning area are urged to take immediate precautions:

• Secure loose outdoor objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.
• Prepare for widespread power outages as winds may blow down trees and power lines.
• Use extra caution if traveling, as high winds will make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect sustained northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph. Peak wind gusts are projected to reach up to 65 mph. These conditions are expected to cause property damage and hazardous travel conditions throughout the affected zones.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is scheduled to take effect at 10:00 PM CDT on Thursday, March 12, and is expected to remain in place until 7:00 AM CDT on Friday, March 13.