Gales of November continue: Gale warning for Lake Superior

November is typically one of the windiest months of the year in Minnesota. We’re living up to our reputation this year.

A tight pressure gradient behind a cold front is kicking up high winds again today. I’m seeing wind gusts over 40 mph across parts of Minnesota again. Here are some select wind gusts Wednesday afternoon.

• Alexandria, 46 mph

• Twin Cities, 45 mph

• Redwood Falls, 45 mph

• Crookston, 41 mph

• Granite Falls, 40 mph

Wind advisories are up for the Red River Valley. High wind warnings are posted farther west in North Dakota.

Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Warren, Stephen, Argyle, Breckenridge, Cando, Langdon, Cavalier, Walhalla, Drayton, Pembina, Neche, St. Thomas, Fort Totten, Maddock, Leeds, Minnewaukan, Devils Lake, Grafton, Park River, New Rockford, Lakota, Mcville, Aneta, Tolna, Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Finley, Hope, Mayville, Hillsboro, Hatton, Portland, Valley City, Fargo, Lisbon, Enderlin, Gwinner, Milnor, Forman, Rutland, Wahpeton, Edinburg, Adams, and Lankin

1016 AM CST Wed Nov 17 2021

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...West-northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. When combined with scattered snow showers, brief visibility reductions below a mile are also possible.

* WHERE...Eastern North Dakota and the Red River Valley of northwest Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. A few power outages are possible.

Gale warnings for Lake Superior

High winds and waves have prompted a gale warning over Lake Superior.

Two Harbors to Duluth MN-Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-

1022 AM CST Wed Nov 17 2021

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and waves 2 to 5 ft.

* WHERE...Two Harbors to Duluth MN and Duluth MN to Port Wing WI.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.

Duluth is on the windward shore of these northwest winds, so waves near the North Shore are pretty tame with the offshore flow. Here’s a look at the webcam Wednesday afternoon from the Lake Superior Maritime Museum canal cam:

Breezy again Thursday

Winds will ease just slightly Thursday, but it will still be a breezy to gusty day. Sustained winds will be in the teens with gusts to near 30 mph once again Thursday.