High winds in Plains, Lake Effect Snow starts

[Jeb]

High winds continue to hammer Midwest, Plains

1:52 P.M. ET 12/12/2004

 

B. Bernard, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

 

 

High winds continue to hammer the Midwest and Plains this afternoon, and warnings and advisories remain widespread from the Dakotas and Nebraska eastward to Ohio. Gusts have topped 50 mph in many locations, and approached 60 mph in others: 59 mph, Aberdeen, S. D.; 58 mph, Fairmont, Minn. A strong storm system racing eastward across the northern Great Lakes is the culprit, and, as colder air behind the storm sweeps southward, lake-effect snows will blossom off of Lakes Superior and Michigan this afternoon. The combination of powerful winds and snowfall has prompted the issuance of winter storm warnings for most of eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota until 4 p.m., and through tomorrow for much of the U. P. of Michigan, northwest lower Michigan and extreme northern Wisconsin. Local snowfall totals on the U. P. could exceed a foot by late tomorrow. Farther south, a winter storm watch has been posted for southwest lower Michigan. In addition to the winter storm watch, a coastal flood watch (due to the concern over strong northwest winds pushing Lake Michigan waters onshore) has been issued for the same area. Winter storm watches for tomorrow and tomorrow night are also in effect for extreme northeast Ohio and extreme northwest Pennsylvania.