At 1:08 a.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service released an updated wind advisory valid from 4 p.m. until Thursday 7 a.m. for Tompkins, Madison and Cortland counties.

"West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected," explains the weather service. "Rain showers along the cold front passage in the late afternoon could contain locally higher wind gusts."

"Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result," states the weather service. "Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

High wind alerts: Your guide to safety

When it comes to high wind alerts, staying informed is essential. The weather service employs three alert levels to convey the severity

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