Strong Wind — Buena Vista, Iowa

2026-01-16 · Buena Vista, Iowa

Event narrative

Sustained winds reached 30 to 39 mph at times with gusts as high as 52 mph at an Automated Weather Observing System site 2 miles south of Storm Lake and 48 mph at an Iowa Road Weather Information System site 2 miles northeast of Rembrandt.

Wider weather episode

Northwest winds surged behind a strong arctic cold front which moved across the region early on January 16. The strongest winds were generally closest to the Missouri River where a wind gust up to 58 mph occurred near Sioux City. While areas of light snowfall generally less than one-half inch fell before and concurrent with the strong winds, there were only very spotty and brief instances of visibility in falling and blowing snow below one mile.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1314061. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.