Some record winds on September 29th

There were many reports of winds over 50 mph on Thursday, September 29th. A summary of the maximum winds has been produced by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Chanhassen.

The maximum non-thunderstorm wind speed in the Twin Cities area during the month of September was formerly 48 mph recorded back in 2004. But the ASOS wind sensor at MSP International Airport reported a wind speed of 53 mph on September 29th, breaking the record value.

As we migrate deeper into the fall season pressure gradient winds, driven by the difference between high and low pressure cells in the atmosphere become more magnified. Recall what happened on October 26th last year when we had an all-time low pressure center cross the state (28.21 inches on the barometer at Big Fork) that produced many wind speeds over 60 mph. We might be on the look out for such storms as we proceed through October and November.

I will be speaking about the great November storms at the Gales of November Conference in Duluth on November 5th this year.