February went out like a lion, at least during the morning hours of Friday and from a wind gusts perspective.
"As a potent Alberta clipper moved southeastward through central Manitoba, diving into the United States, very strong northwesterly wind gusts developed around the system," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "The pressure gradient around the low, or the difference in air pressure around it and the surrounding airmass, was quite significant. When that happens, very strong wind gusts are likely to happen, and that's what we saw yesterday."
According to peak wind gust data recorded at Environment Canada and Manitoba Ag Weather Network stations across Southern Manitoba, the strongest gusts of the day occurred at most locations between 4am and 8am Friday morning.
The following gusts are measured in km/h.
Dand: 100 (located south of Hartney)
Kane: 99
Altona: 94
Findlay/Virden: 93
Emerson/Minto: 91
Minto/Souris: 90
Gretna/Alexander: 89
Winnipeg International Airport/Rivers/Elm Creek: 87
Brunkild/Snowflake/Ninette/Starbuck/Plumas: 85
Wawanesa/Killarney/Dominion City: 82
Somerset/Deloraine: 81
Cartwright: 77
Morris: 76
Manitou/Boissevain: 72
Winkler: 71
Steinbach: 68
"Winds will be much lighter Saturday as surface high pressure moved southward out of the North West Territories through Friday, closely following the Clipper's exit, and that will keep things much calmer today, with only a light breeze expected," added Sumner. "That area of high pressure also allowed a cooler airmass to arrive, and that's why we say lows this morning around the -20s. Highs today will be around seasonal, -4 to -6, with warmer conditions expected Sunday."
He noted the high pressure will continue to sink southward throughout Saturday, and an upper atmospheric ridge will build eastward over Manitoba for Sunday and Monday, meaning warmer air arrives and temperatures will push above average.
Daytime highs Sunday and Monday are expected to land between +3 and +6, with average daytime highs for the beginning of March around -4.
"Another Alberta clipper is expected to slice through the province Monday night that will bring a chance of flurries, and drop temperatures back to seasonal for Tuesday," he said.
