NEW ULM — Blowing dust in Minnesota and northern Iowa could be seen from a satellite over the Earth, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Tuesday.

The NWS issued a blowing dust advisory as wind gusts were measured at 50 mph in Hanska, 48 mph in St. James, 46 mph in Olivia and 45 mph in New Ulm and Olivia, according to NWS Meteorologist Brent Hewett in Chanhassen.

“That’s the first time the NWS issued a blowing dust advisory that I can remember,” said Brown County Emergency Management Director Shawn Stoermann.

“Conditions were perfect for a dust storm with the dryness and wind,” said Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl.

A Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy posted squad vehicle video on State Highway 14 near the Brown/Watonwan County line.

“Please use caution driving in this area. Expect delays and possible delays,” the deputy posted on Facebook.

“If the wind event happened in the winter, it would have created a ground blizzard in southwest and south central Minnesota,” said Hewett. “It was definitely a rare scenario for this time of year. It was like a winter whiteout. Drivers need to pay attention, slow down, use headlights an, pull over, off the road and turn off lights if visibility is really low.”

Winds of up to 40 mph are forecast for Thursday, but they will be out of the south.

“There could be blowing dust concerns again,” said Hewett.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office issued burning restrictions effective 8 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m., Saturday, May 16. No open burning of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) and ditches or brush piles are permitted.

The NWS issued a Red Flag Warning for southern and central Minnesota Thursday. Warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds are forecast to combine to increase the risk of fire.