Northwest Iowa — Many northwest Iowans woke up to wind and wind damage, and several people woke up to a power outage on Monday morning.
We talked with Warning Coordination Meteorologist Peter Rogers with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, and he tells us what happened.
There were several reports in our area, starting at 5:05 a.m. on Monday morning with a 64-mile-per-hour gust west of Sheldon. Other gusts reported included 57 MPH near Hawarden, 73 MPH west of Rock Valley, 64 MPH near Hawarden, 58 MPH near Hull, 59 MPH west of Larchwood, 61 MPH near Rock Rapids, and both 72 MPH and 63 MPH between Lester and Rock Rapids. Three to four dozen trees and countless limbs were reported down in Rock Rapids, with similar damage reported in Rock Valley.
Rogers says that while the winds came right after thunderstorms, they were not connected to the storms, which is a bit unusual.
Rogers tells us there is potential for some severe weather tonight.
But he says while it will be cloudy and rainy through Wednesday, the chance for severe weather is quite limited after Monday night.
Weather experts remind us that the weather can change, so they advise you to remain weather aware.
Tree down on Rock Rapids street -KIWA Staff Photo
