The National Weather Service office in Johnston has issued a wind advisory for the Perry area and for much of southern and central Iowa until 8 p.m. Wednesday, with southwest gusts to 50 mph forecast.
Steady southwest winds between 25 mph and 35 mph will occur mainly west of U.S. Interstate 35, the NWS said, and the relative humidity will fall below 35% Wednesday afternoon, bringing an elevated fire danger.
Thunderstorms are forecast Wednesday afternoon and could become severe, with the highest potential over north central Iowa, the NWS said. If severe weather does occur, it will be in the form of a one or two tornadoes, damaging wind gusts or small hail.
Burning is discouraged in areas west of U.S. Interstate 35. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects, and tree limbs could be blown down, causing power outages, the NWS said.
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle.
Along with Dallas County, the wind advisory is in effect for Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Black Hawk, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Audubon, Guthrie, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Adams, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur,
Wayne, Appanoose and Davis counties.
Along with Perry, the wind advisory is in effect in Sac City, Lake View, Odebolt, Wall Lake, Schaller, Early, Rockwell City, Manson, Lake City, Pomeroy, Fort Dodge, Webster City, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, Grundy Center, Reinbeck, Conrad, Dike, Wellsburg, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Denison, Carroll, Jefferson, Boone, Ames, Marshalltown, Tama, Toledo, Traer, Dysart, Gladbrook, Audubon, Exira, Guthrie Center, Panora, Bayard, Casey, Waukee, Adel, Des Moines, Newton, Grinnell, Atlantic, Greenfield, Stuart, Adair, Fontanelle, Winterset, Earlham, Indianola, Norwalk, Carlisle, Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Corning, Creston, Osceola, Chariton, Albia, Ottumwa, Bedford, Lenox, New Market, Mount Ayr, Lamoni, Leon, Corydon, Seymour, Allerton, Humeston, Centerville and Bloomfield.
ThePerryNews.com will update this weather story as forecasts evolve.
