Monday, January 2, 2012 4:11 am

A SHOT OF ARCTIC COLD AIR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS TODAY.

SUSTAINED WINDS WILL BE IN THE 15 TO 25 MPH RANGE ... WITH FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH.

THE TIME FOR HIGHEST WIND GUSTS WILL BE LATE MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON.

THE WINDS WILL DROP OFF THIS EVENING.

* WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* EVENT...NORTHWEST WIND GUSTS 35 TO 40 MPH.

* IMPACT...MOTORISTS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS AT TIMES...PARTICULARLY HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SUCH AS TRACTOR TRAILER RIGS...CAMPERS...AND CRANES. BOATERS ON AREA LAKES WILL EXPERIENCE VERY CHOPPY CONDITIONS. RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO SECURE OUTDOOR ITEMS SUCH AS TRASH CANS AND PATIO FURNITURE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 25 TO 39 MPH AND/OR GUSTS OF 35 TO 57 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.