The gales of September: Wind gusts near severe strength recorded
Rapid pressure changes driving gusts over 50 mph
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Thursday reminds us that Minnesota sits in the land of free-flowing air masses. With no mountains or modifying oceans nearby, air masses sweep freely across the Upper Midwest. When weather systems wind up in these parts, there are no real geographic barriers to stop the wind.
Rapid pressure changes
Thursday’s winds are the result of rapid pressure changes across Minnesota. A deepening low-pressure center and strengthening high are sweeping across the region Thursday. The result is a tightening pressure gradient driving high winds across Minnesota.
Wind gusts across northern Minnesota exceeded 50 mph at ground level. But winds were even higher just a few thousand feet above ground level. Check out this assessment form the Duluth National Weather Service Doppler radar image.
Wind gusts reached 57 mph on the Baltnik Bridge near Duluth, Minn. Severe thunderstorm criteria is wind gusts of 58 mph.
Winds gusted to 55 mph in the Twin Cities at Crystal Airport, and 51 mph in St. Cloud, Minn.
Winds will ease after sunset as the pressure gradient relaxes.
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