Though still a bit breezy at 7 o'clock, winds are finally slowing down. Here's a map of the peak wind gusts today in Iowa, courtesy of the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Several sites exceeded 50 mph with blowing dust causing travel issues in northeast Iowa earlier today. #iawx

A wind advisory has been issued for much of the northern 1/2 of Iowa. It is valid until 6 pm CDT today. Northwesterly wind gusts as high as 50 mph are possible. Motorists beware...especially you folks that are driving high-profile vehicles! #iawx

Gusty northwest winds are expected today at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph with temperatures expected to be pleasant into the weekend. There is a chance of scattered showers and storms on Friday night into early Saturday, otherwise much of the period will be dry. #iawx

Along with the gusty winds, we are getting reports of blowing dust and reduced visibilities across parts of the area. Here is an example from an @iowadot webcam near Plainfield in Bremer county. Visibilities may drop quickly if traveling in open areas this afternoon. #iawx

Preliminary count of tornadoes in Iowa for 2024 year to date is 94. This includes 45 in April (broke April record of 40 set in 2001), 48 in May and one confirmed so far in June. The yearly total record for Iowa is 120 set in 2004. #iawx