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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Nearly half of the United States was under some form of National Weather Service (NWS) wind alert on Wednesday, ranging from wind advisories to high wind warnings, as millions were told to delay travel until conditions improved.
At least 23 states are facing hazardous gusts capable of toppling branches and making driving treacherous. In some of the most severe cases, the NWS is urging people to reconsider nonessential travel as winds strengthen across multiple regions, warning that gusts can push vehicles off course and turn unsecured objects into projectiles. The widespread alerts highlight how disruptive early‑season wind events can be, especially when they coincide with already‑busy travel corridors.
In the hardest-hit areas, winds could gust up to 100 mph. NWS lead meteorologist Colby Goatley told Newsweek that at those speeds, winds will cause damage to trees, power lines, and even weak structures. House siding could also be damaged.
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The biggest concern will be anyone driving during the worst of the winds, likely on Thursday during the day.
"Some of those winds could get up to 85, 90 mph going into the interstate," Goatley told Newsweek. "That is going to be a very significant problem for motorists and anyone with a large vehicle. We do expect to see some reports of semis tipping over."
Even normal cars can struggle with driving at these wind speeds, Goatley said.
"Drivers of high profile vehicles should consider delaying travel until the high winds subside," the NWS office in Pocatello, Idaho, said in a high wind warning.
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High Wind Warnings as Gusts Could Reach 100 MPH
The most severe alerts were high-wind warnings, which were in effect for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Texas as of Wednesday evening.
The strongest wind gusts, up to 100 miles per hour, are expected in the North Laramie Range, the NWS office in Cheyenne, Wyoming, said.
The main threats from the wind event would be to transportation.
The warnings will go into effect at different times, depending on the location. People residing in the areas under a high wind warning should stay up to date with their local NWS forecast office.
High Wind Warning vs. Wind Advisory
A high wind warning is issued by the NWS when winds pose a clear threat to life or property—typically when sustained winds reach at least 40 mph for an hour or more, or when gusts hit 58 mph or higher for any duration. In contrast, a wind advisory is used for lower‑end but still potentially hazardous conditions, generally when sustained winds are forecast between 30 and 39 mph for at least one hour, with gusts below the high‑wind threshold.
Wind advisories have been issued across much of the same areas as the high wind warnings, as well as in Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
"Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects," a Seattle wind advisory said. "Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicles. Secure outdoor objects."
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