Ferocious winds to cause damage, create difficult travel across US Plains at midweek

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

The same areas of the central United States that will deal with a blizzard and severe weather from a powerful storm will also be hit with damaging winds at midweek.

The storm will undergo rapid intensification, known as bombogenesis, which will cause winds to strengthen around the storm's center.

"There will be a heightened risk for power outages, property damage and blowing dust and other debris," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

"High winds may end up stretching over 1 million square miles of the Central states with this storm," Sosnowski said.

The area of strong winds will be so broad that even communities that are spared the storm's blizzard and severe weather risk can face damage and a loss of power.

Residents can begin preparations to help minimize property damage during the event by stowing away trash bins, planters and other small outdoor items in a garage or shed. Larger items such as outdoor furniture should be properly secured.

Download the free AccuWeather app to receive the latest wind advisories for your area and see exactly how windy it will get.

Wind gusts frequenting 50-60 mph are likely from Texas to the Dakotas during Wednesday and Wednesday night. However, gusts are expected to eclipse 60 mph and may reach 90 mph across a portion of the High Plains.

That means that some areas can experience gusts to hurricane force (74 mph) or higher.

People are advised to not stand or park under trees or power lines, which can come down with little notice.

"High-profile vehicles, such as trucks, buses and RVs, can be flipped over by strong westerly crosswinds on north-south highways such as U.S. routes 83 and 287, as well as Interstate 27 and I-35," Sosnowski said.

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Gusty winds buffeting sections of interstates 20, 25, 40, 70, 76, 80 and 90 will also require motorists to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel in these areas.

The winds will further reduce visibility for those dealing with the snowy side of the system, leading to an all-out blizzard from Colorado to the Dakotas.

Blowing dust may pose hazards to drivers across the southern Plains, depending on how much rain falls from the storm and if the ground can dry out fast enough.

"On Thursday, we expect high winds to persist over much of the Plains," Sosnowski said.

"However, high winds and the risk of power outages, falling trees and property damage will also extend farther to the east across the Midwest," Sosnowski said.

Severe aircraft turbulence is expected across the region. Airline passengers are reminded to keep their seat belts fastened throughout their flight in case of sudden turbulent conditions.

This past weekend, dozens were left injured on a Turkish Airlines flight inbound to New York after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence.

Gusty weather will shift into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region on Thursday. While the storm will be past its peak intensity by this time, gusts up to 50 mph are still possible across a portion of the Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes.

Lingering windy conditions across the northern Plains on this day will prolong poor visibility conditions due to blowing and drifting snow.

Colder but quieter weather will move into the Central states in the wake of the storm from Friday into the weekend.