Washington schools let out early for wind advisory

The Washington school district announced Wednesday classes would let out early at 2:10 p.m. in light of high-speed winds expected in the county.

“Winds have increased to be above 45 mph gusts before our buses would get back into the bus barn normally around 4:30-5:00 p.m.,” Superintendent Willie Stone said in a Facebook post around noon. “45 mph is when a warning kicks in for high-profile vehicles. I am sorry for the late notice and the inconvenience this is causing.”

The Des Moines office of the National Weather Service said advised Iowans of the weather concern Wednesday morning.

“Sustained wind speeds should reach 30 to 40 mph with peak wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph before diminishing somewhat late tonight toward sunrise Thursday,” it said in a Wednesday morning briefing. “Travel will become extremely difficult in the afternoon and evening, especially for high profile vehicles (extreme danger to semis, buses, etc.)”

Mid-Prairie and Highland school districts are ending the day at their normally scheduled Wednesday early-out times, according to secretaries in both district offices.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com