Bluffton residents should expect high winds up to 50 to 60 miles per hours and heavy thundershowers between noon and 3 p.m., according to AEP.

Wide-spread high winds and severe thunderstorms will hit the AEP East Utilities today. A major storm over Minnesota rapidly intensified during the overnight hours. The strong cold front associated with the storm has already produced wind gusts of 45-55 mph with isolated gusts to 75 mph in severe thunderstorms across Missouri and Illinois.

South winds will increase to sustained speeds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 45 mph in advance of the front today, however the strongest wind gusts will occur with the frontal passage itself.

A line of severe thunderstorms will also accompany the front, which will enhance the threat of damaging wind gusts. Expect peak wind gusts of 50-60 mph across much of AEP Ohio. Isolated severe storms within the line could produce gusts to 75 mph...and even a few tornadoes over Indiana and western Ohio.

Winds should subside below 25 mph across the region tonight as the storm moves into Canada.