The Northern Plains have experienced several strong wind events over the past two weeks, including yesterday for some parts of the area. All of these high wind situations were triggered by what is often called an Alberta Clipper. A fast-moving low pressure that tends to originate in the prairie provinces of Canada and then move… Read more Windathon
Tag: wind
Windless Season
There is no doubt that we live in an area that is prone to a persistent wind. Our flat terrain, in combination with our geographic location in the middle latitudes where air mass exchanges are routine, the wind plays a strong role in our climate. The time frame with the lowest average wind speed is… Read more Windless Season
Drifting Soil
The strong wind on Sunday caused extensive soil erosion. The problem was the worst in northeastern North Dakota into northwestern Minnesota where it has been the driest in the past few weeks. Many of the snow events in March and April tended to drop little or no snowfall into that part of the region. In… Read more Drifting Soil
Clipper Day
The snow in the area today is associated with an Alberta Clipper that will not only bring moisture, but also some cold air. In fact, the coldest air since early January is expected the next couple of mornings. Yet the cold air will only last a couple of days and by this weekend above average… Read more Clipper Day
Peak Wind February 7 and February 8, 2016
An “Alberta Clipper” moved through the Northern Plains on February 7 and 8, 2016 and produced strong North/Northwesterly wind behind the low pressure. Some blizzard to near blizzard conditions were observed in the northern Red River Valley and blustery conditions were recorded in other locations with lesser snow to blow around. Peak Wind gust associated… Read more Peak Wind February 7 and February 8, 2016
Strong Wind: January 27, 2016
Below are the reported maximum wind gust on January 27, 2016. The strong wind was associated with a strong low pressure center moving across southern Canada with corresponding low level jet swinging around the southern flank of the storm. Not on the graphic above was a 45 mph gust at 10 meters (33 feet)… Read more Strong Wind: January 27, 2016
Wind Reports from November 18-19, 2015
A strong mid-latitude cyclone brought very strong wind to North Dakota on November 18 and 19, 2015. The strong wind arrived in far western North Dakota around sunrise on the 18th and moved easterly during the day, arriving in the Red River Valley near or just after sunset that afternoon. The North Dakota… Read more Wind Reports from November 18-19, 2015
Peak Wind Gust: July 28, 2015
April 2015 Wind: A historical perspective
Many have inquired as to why this month as been so windy. The answer… it is April. Climatologically, March, April and November are the three windiest months of the year. Yet, just because this is a windy time of year, has April 2015 been exceptionally windy? Long term wind data is only available at… Read more April 2015 Wind: A historical perspective
Weekend Wind (3/28 and 3/29/15)
The wind speed on North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) stations measure wind speed at 10 feet (3 meters). Airport sensors measure wind speed at 33 feet (10 meters). That height difference is notable when measuring wind strength as the lower level wind speed is slowed down by fictional forces. The difference between those two… Read more Weekend Wind (3/28 and 3/29/15)