Instant Fall

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Now that's a cold front!

The first strong cold front of fall roared through Minnesota late Sunday. Winds gusted to 54 mph in the Twin Cities, and a wind gust of 66 mph was clocked in Willmar at 5:35pm. The gust in Willmar exceeds the 58 mph NWS criteria for severe thunderstorms.

The gusts were the highest widespread winds recorded in the area in at least 4 months. This was the biggest wind event since May 13th for most areas, except for locally higher damaging winds associated with tornadoes this summer.

Numerous reports of tree and power line damage were reported last night. Several thousand homes were without power.

The winds will remain gusty today, but gusts approaching severe limits are not expected. A wind advisory is posted for much of the area until 7pm tonight. A much colder air mass will bring chances for frost the next two nights. Frost advisories are posted for parts of the region tonight.

The cold front replaces unseasonably warm weather through the first 27 days of September. Temperatures reached or exceeded 70 every day, with highs reaching 80 degrees or warmer 13 days this month. Through the 27th, temperatures averaged 68.3 degrees this month. That's 6.8 degrees above average. The warmest September ever on record was 68.7 degrees in 1931.

Look for more sunshine and lighter winds Tuesday into Wednesday. The next chance of rain will come Thursday and Friday.

Hang onto your hat and find your snuggie. Fall is here.

PH