SIDNEY - Strong gusty winds could impact post Christmas travel Monday in the southern Nebraska panhandle region.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for Monday, with powerful northwest winds expected to sweep through the region from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Winds are forecast to range from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 60 mph. The warning covers Cheyenne and Kimball counties in Nebraska, Logan and Sedgwick counties in northeastern Colorado, and Laramie County in southeastern Wyoming. Cities including Sidney, Kimball, Sterling, Pine Bluffs and Julesburg. 

The high winds could pose significant risks to transportation, particularly for lightweight or high-profile vehicles such as campers and tractor-trailers. Strong crosswinds may make driving challenging and potentially dangerous on open highways.

The National Weather Service advises residents to secure outdoor objects that could be blown away and to avoid travel with vulnerable vehicles during the warning period. Sustained wind speeds of 40 mph or gusts exceeding 58 mph can cause property damage and create hazardous conditions.