Wind Event of October 26-27, 2010

Overview

An area of low pressure moved out of the Southern Plains and rapidly deepened into Minnesota during the early morning hours of October 26th. As it moved north, shower and thunderstorm activity provided rainfall amounts of one-half to just over one inch in some locations. More importantly though,the central pressure of the low continued to fall causing an increase in winds as the day progressed. By late in the morning of October 26th, sustained wind speeds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph, were reported over parts of western Minnesota. By early afternoon, wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were common across southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and into western Wisconsin causing sporadic wind damage to roofs and trees. The winds continued during the evening and overnight hours, with reported gusts near 60 mph around 2 a.m. at many locations (including 61 mph at Spring Valley, MN).

The low pressure system's central pressure slowly began to increase (or weaken) early in the morning on the 27th as it started to move into southern Canada. However the pressure gradient, or the difference between the central low pressure and the pressure surrounding the storm, did not weaken much. Therefore, the winds did not weaken and some locations experienced their strongest wind gusts from this wind event during the early morning hours. The stronger pressure gradient is indicated by the tight "packing" of the isobars (lines of constant pressure) seen in the loops below. By the evening of the 27th, winds diminished with gusts falling below 45 mph, due to the system continuing to weaken and moving farther away from the region.

While this storm set records for the lowest pressure ever recorded in Minnesota (Bigfork, MN - 955.2 mb / 28.21" - 5:13 p.m. October 26, 2010) and Wisconsin (Superior, WI - 961.3 mb / 28.39" - 11:15 a.m. October 26, 2010), it did not have the higher end winds seen in the November 10 1998 storm. The 1998 storm, which held the previous records for lowest pressure, produced sporadic 60-80 mph winds. One of the contributing factors for the higher wind gusts in 1998 was the greater difference in the pressure from outside the storm to the center - or a stronger pressure gradient. This pressure difference is the force that accelerates the air into the low pressure center. As an example, the 1998 storm had a pressure difference from Kansas City, Missouri (outside the storm) to Duluth, Minnesota (center of the storm) of around 40 millibars. For this storm, that measured difference from Kansas City to Duluth was around 30 millibars (about 25% less).

A High Wind Watch was issued by the National Weather Service in La Crosse on Sunday afternoon, October 24th. The following day, the watch was replaced with High Wind Warnings (issued at 3:27 p.m. CDT October 25th) that covered Tuesday and Wednesday. A webinar was also held with Emergency Management partners to assist with planning.

Other links about this storm include:

Track of the low pressure area that produced record low pressure levels and extreme winds.

Peak Wind
Storm Reports
Environment
Record Low Pressure
Oct.26 Winds
Oct.27 Winds

Peak Wind Gusts:

Location	Wind Gust	Time / Date	Source
Stacyville, IA 3E	88 mph	Oct.27	Wind Turbine (262 ft)
Mt.Sterling, WI	70 mph	518 p.m. Oct.27	Amateur Radio
La Crosse, WI 4SE	69 mph	820 p.m. Oct.26	Public
Prairie du Chien, WI 10NNE	64 mph	220 p.m. Oct.26	Law Enforcement
Spring Valley, MN 3E	64 mph	1014 a.m. Oct.27	Public/COOP
Eyota, MN 2SE	63 mph	421 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Union, WI 2S	63 mph	220 p.m. Oct.27	Public
Necedah, WI 1WNW	62 mph	1248 p.m. Oct.27	Fire Weather
Arcadia, WI 2S	61 mph	607 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Spencer, WI 2SW	60 mph	745 a.m. Oct.27	Public
Harpers Ferry, IA	60 mph	1031 a.m. Oct.27	Amateur Radio
La Crosse, WI AP	59 mph	117 a.m. Oct.27	ASOS
Canton, MN 2ESE	58 mph	1119 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
La Crosse, WI 4S	58 mph	225 a.m. Oct.27	Amateur Radio / Spotter
Platteville, WI	58 mph	1255 p.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Rochester, MN AP	58 mph	119 a.m. Oct.27	ASOS
Viroqua, WI	58 mph	215 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Dodge Center, MN	56 mph	655 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Volk Field, WI	56 mph	255 a.m. Oct.27	ASOS
Ionia, IA 2N	55 mph	926 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Platteville, WI 1W	55 mph	1240 p.m. Oct.27	Public
Boscobel, WI 1ENE	54 mph	1103 a.m. Oct.27	Fire Weather
Charles City, IA	54 mph	1135 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
La Crosse NWS	54 mph	Oct.27	Weather Station
Medford, WI	54 mph	1155 p.m. Oct.26	AWOS
Winona, MN	54 mph	736 a.m. Oct.27	Emerg. Management
Kellogg, MN 2SSE	53 mph	644 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Decorah, IA 5SE	52 mph	1037 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Lone Rock, WI	52 mph	1025 a.m. Oct.27	ASOS
Mauston, WI 1E	51 mph	608 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Neillsville, WI	50 mph	318 a.m. Oct.27	Public
Boscobel, WI	49 mph	139 p.m. Oct.27	ASOS
Mt.Sterling, WI 1SW	49 mph	1105 a.m. Oct.27	Road Weather
Preston, MN	49 mph	1036 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Winona, MN 4SW	49 mph	1100 a.m. Oct.27	Public
Prairie du Chien, WI	48 mph	115 p.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Austin, MN	47 mph	155 p.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Decorah, IA	45 mph	1055 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Richland Center, WI	44 mph	1053 a.m. Oct.27	Amateur Radio
Sparta, WI	41 mph	1138 a.m. Oct.27	AWOS
Winona, MN	41 mph	954 p.m. Oct.26	AWOS

Storm Reports

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
721 PM CDT WED OCT 27 2010

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   EMERGENCY MNGR  

0545 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST UNION                   42.83N 90.52W 
10/26/2010  M50.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   PUBLIC          

0555 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SE PLATTEVILLE        42.69N 90.42W 
10/26/2010  M48.00 MPH       LAFAYETTE          WI   AWOS            

            PLATTEVILLE AWOS MEASURED 48 MILES PER HOUR WIND GUST

0555 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST PLATTEVILLE             42.74N 90.48W 
10/26/2010  M48.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   AWOS            

0635 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ELLENBORO               42.78N 90.62W 
10/26/2010                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TREE FELL ON PASSING CAR NEAR INTERSECTION OF COUNTY 
            ROADS D AND E

0714 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W 
10/26/2010  M43.00 MPH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   EMERGENCY MNGR  

0730 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MAUSTON                 43.80N 90.08W 
10/26/2010  M52.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            MAUSTON WRJC RADIO MEASURED WIND GUST OF 52 MILES PER 
            HOUR

0801 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CASTLE ROCK             43.05N 90.53W 
10/26/2010                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TREES DOWN ON WITEK ROAD

0929 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW BARRE MILLS        43.80N 91.16W 
10/26/2010  E46.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   PUBLIC          

1028 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SW ROCHESTER          43.99N 92.50W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

1030 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG GREENWOOD               44.77N 90.60W 
10/26/2010                   CLARK              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            ROOF BLOWN OFF 40X80 FOOT SHED ALONG HIGHWAY 73. TREE 
            ALSO BLOWN DOWN.

1035 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SE PLATTEVILLE        42.70N 90.44W 
10/26/2010  M49.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   AWOS            

1044 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 ESE CANTON            43.52N 91.89W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   MESONET         

1049 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE EYOTA              43.97N 92.20W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   MESONET         

1055 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW VIROQUA            43.58N 90.91W 
10/26/2010  M47.00 MPH       VERNON             WI   AWOS            

1055 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S PRAIRIE DU CHIEN    43.01N 91.14W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       CRAWFORD           WI   AWOS            

1109 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W 
10/26/2010  M51.00 MPH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            ALLAMAKEE COUNTY COURT HOUSE

1109 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST WAUKON                  43.27N 91.48W 
10/26/2010  M51.00 MPH       ALLAMAKEE          IA   EMERGENCY MNGR  

1135 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N IONIA               43.07N 92.46W 
10/26/2010  M49.00 MPH       CHICKASAW          IA   MESONET         

1135 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E CHARLES CITY        43.07N 92.62W 
10/26/2010  M45.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

1143 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.17W 
10/26/2010  M50.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            MEASURED AT NWS LA CROSSE OFFICE

1145 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W 
10/26/2010  M47.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

1153 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 E BOSCOBEL            43.14N 90.66W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   AWOS            

1155 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 E AUSTIN              43.67N 92.93W 
10/26/2010  M46.00 MPH       MOWER              MN   AWOS            

0210 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PLATTEVILLE             42.74N 90.48W 
10/26/2010                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            LARGE TREE BLOWN DOWN ONTO CARS

0220 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 10 NNE PRAIRIE DU CHIEN 43.18N 91.06W 
10/26/2010  M64.00 MPH       CRAWFORD           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

0637 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W 
10/26/2010  M49.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0759 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W 
10/26/2010  M55.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

0759 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 N STEWARTVILLE        43.90N 92.49W 
10/26/2010  M55.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

            PEAK WIND GUST FROM ROCHESTER MN AIRPORT ASOS

0806 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE EYOTA              43.97N 92.20W 
10/26/2010  M58.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   MESONET         

0814 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG COLBY                   44.91N 90.32W 
10/26/2010                   CLARK              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            TREE DOWN ON POWER LINE CAUSED POWER OUTAGES AT COLBY AND
            UNITY

0900 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW WABASHA            44.39N 92.07W 
10/26/2010  M47.00 MPH       WABASHA            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

0930 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 E TAYLOR              44.32N 91.06W 
10/26/2010                   JACKSON            WI   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            TREES DOWNED CAUSED A POWER OUTAGE FROM 930 PM TO 
            MIDNIGHT ON OCTOBER 26TH

0945 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 7 E LOYAL               44.74N 90.35W 
10/26/2010  E60.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   PUBLIC          

            LOW PRESSURE READING 28.89 INCHES

1100 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BLACK RIVER FALLS       44.30N 90.85W 
10/26/2010                   JACKSON            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            POWER LINES AND TREES DOWN NEAR BLACK RIVER FALLS

1100 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MELROSE                 44.13N 91.00W 
10/26/2010                   JACKSON            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            POWER LINES DOWN NEAR MELROSE

1100 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WHITEHALL               44.37N 91.31W 
10/26/2010                   TREMPEALEAU        WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREES DOWN ACROSS PARTS OF COUNTY. WORST DAMAGE BETWEEN 
            WHITEHALL AND STRUM THAT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 
            11 PM AND 1 AM. TREES BLOCKED ROADS IN SOME CASES.

1141 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WAUMANDEE               44.30N 91.70W 
10/26/2010                   BUFFALO            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN WITHIN THE LAST HOUR

1141 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MONDOVI                 44.57N 91.67W 
10/26/2010                   BUFFALO            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN WITHIN THE LAST HOUR

1141 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG VIROQUA                 43.56N 90.89W 
10/26/2010                   VERNON             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SPORADIC TREES DOWN ACROSS VERNON COUNTY

1200 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG STRUM                   44.55N 91.39W 
10/27/2010                   TREMPEALEAU        WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREE FELL ON VEHICLE AND POWER LINES DOWN.

1215 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W 
10/27/2010  M61.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0115 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 S ROCHESTER           43.97N 92.48W 
10/27/2010                   OLMSTED            MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            PINE TREE FELL ON POWER LINES OVERNIGHT

0135 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST DODGE CENTER            44.03N 92.85W 
10/27/2010  M53.00 MPH       DODGE              MN   AWOS            

0153 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 NNW LA CROSSE         43.88N 91.26W 
10/27/2010  M59.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   ASOS            

0154 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W 
10/27/2010  M58.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

0211 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E LA CROSSE           43.83N 91.21W 
10/27/2010  M53.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            NWS OFFICE

0215 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST VIROQUA                 43.56N 90.89W 
10/27/2010  M58.00 MPH       VERNON             WI   AWOS            

0300 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW WABASHA            44.39N 92.07W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       WABASHA            MN   AMATEUR RADIO   

0300 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG VIROQUA                 43.56N 90.89W 
10/27/2010                   VERNON             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY. LARGE TREE FELL ON 
            POWER LINE IN LA FARGE AT 3 AM. WORSE DAMAGE WAS 
            OVERNIGHT.

0318 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST NEILLSVILLE             44.56N 90.59W 
10/27/2010  M50.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   PUBLIC          

0356 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 W PRESTON             43.67N 92.18W 
10/27/2010  M46.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   AWOS            

0400 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SW WINONA             44.01N 91.71W 
10/27/2010  M46.00 MPH       WINONA             MN   MESONET         

0435 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MEDFORD                 45.14N 90.35W 
10/27/2010                   TAYLOR             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            ROOF BLOWN OFF BUSINESS ON MAIN STREET ALONG WITH 
            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. SPOTTY POWER OUTAGES REPORTED IN 
            MEDFORD AND RIB LAKE. TIME APPROXIMATED SINCE THERE WERE 
            SEVERAL HIGH WIND GUSTS OVERNIGHT.

0455 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MEDFORD                 45.14N 90.35W 
10/27/2010  M51.00 MPH       TAYLOR             WI   AWOS            

0530 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG RIB LAKE                45.32N 90.20W 
10/27/2010                   TAYLOR             WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            POWER OUTAGES REPORTED OVERNIGHT

0655 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST DODGE CENTER            44.03N 92.85W 
10/27/2010  M56.00 MPH       DODGE              MN   AWOS            

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG LA CROSSE               43.83N 91.23W 
10/27/2010                   LA CROSSE          WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            30 REPORTS OF TREES DOWN AND TRAFFIC SIGNS DAMAGED. POWER
            LINES BLOWN DOWN AS WELL WITH SOME CANCELLED FLIGHTS 
            OVERNIGHT AT AIRPORT.

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W 
10/27/2010                   OLMSTED            MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            SPORADIC POWER OUTAGES AND POSSIBLE ROOF DAMAGE TO 
            APARTMENT BUILDING.

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W 
10/27/2010                   MOWER              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MANTORVILLE             44.07N 92.75W 
10/27/2010                   DODGE              MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREES DOWN IN VARIOUS PARTS OF COUNTY AND SHEET METAL 
            FENCING BLOWN OFF AT FAIRGROUNDS.

0709 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NE ROCHESTER          44.03N 92.45W 
10/27/2010  E43.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0715 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG SPARTA                  43.94N 90.81W 
10/27/2010                   MONROE             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            FEW TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY...SOME BLOCKING SINGLE 
            LANES.

0715 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MAUSTON                 43.80N 90.08W 
10/27/2010                   JUNEAU             WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY. FEW POWER LINES AND 
            POLES DOWN ALONG WITH DAMAGED CAUSED BY FALLING TREES.

0715 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CALEDONIA               43.63N 91.50W 
10/27/2010                   HOUSTON            MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREE DOWN ON SHED AND HORSE TRAILER

0730 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ADAMS                   43.96N 89.82W 
10/27/2010                   ADAMS              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN WITH SPORADIC FIRES FROM TREES FALLING
            ON POWER LINES. A FEW VEHICLE COLLISIONS WITH DOWNED 
            TREES ON ROADS.

0730 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ALMA                    44.33N 91.92W 
10/27/2010                   BUFFALO            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            FEW TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY.

0736 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST WINONA                  44.05N 91.66W 
10/27/2010  M54.00 MPH       WINONA             MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

0745 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 7 E LOYAL               44.74N 90.35W 
10/27/2010  E60.00 MPH       CLARK              WI   PUBLIC          

0745 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG RICHLAND CENTER         43.34N 90.38W 
10/27/2010                   RICHLAND           WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            A FEW SMALL TREES DOWN

0745 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG LANCASTER               42.85N 90.71W 
10/27/2010                   GRANT              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            TREES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY

0800 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG BLACK RIVER FALLS       44.30N 90.85W 
10/27/2010                   JACKSON            WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            SEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY. POWER 
            OUTAGES REPORTED IN TOWN.

0815 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST DODGE CENTER            44.03N 92.85W 
10/27/2010  M51.00 MPH       DODGE              MN   AWOS            

0820 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 6 S ZUMBRO FALLS        44.20N 92.43W 
10/27/2010                   WABASHA            MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            SEMI TRUCK BLOWN OVER ALONG HIGHWAY 63 NEAR COUNTY LINE.

0900 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG NEILLSVILLE             44.56N 90.59W 
10/27/2010                   CLARK              WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            WIDESPREAD TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY. 
            STRONGEST WINDS STARTED AROUND 8 PM LAST NIGHT AND 
            CONTINUE THIS MORNING.

0911 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG PRESTON                 43.67N 92.08W 
10/27/2010                   FILLMORE           MN   LAW ENFORCEMENT 

            MINOR TREES DOWN

0945 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ST. CHARLES             43.97N 92.06W 
10/27/2010                   WINONA             MN   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            LARGE COTTONWOOD TREES DOWN IN CITY PARK. TREE DOWN ALONG
            HIGHWAY 74 AS WELL.

1014 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W 
10/27/2010  M64.00 MPH       FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            MIXED WITH SNOW PELLETS

1015 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 E CHARLES CITY        43.07N 92.60W 
10/27/2010  M45.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

1018 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N LA CROSSE           43.88N 91.23W 
10/27/2010  M52.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   ASOS            

1020 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST VOLK FIELD              43.93N 90.27W 
10/27/2010  M47.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   ASOS            

1025 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST LONE ROCK               43.18N 90.20W 
10/27/2010  M52.00 MPH       RICHLAND           WI   ASOS            

1030 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SSE ROCHESTER         43.96N 92.44W 
10/27/2010  M45.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

1030 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 W ARKDALE             44.03N 89.92W 
10/27/2010                   ADAMS              WI   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR HIGHWAY 21

1030 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 4 N DELLWOOD            44.03N 89.96W 
10/27/2010                   ADAMS              WI   NWS EMPLOYEE    

            4-5 TREES DOWN ALONG COUNTY ROAD Z

1035 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E CHARLES CITY        43.07N 92.62W 
10/27/2010  M51.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

1047 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SSW ROCHESTER         43.96N 92.51W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

1053 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST RICHLAND CENTER         43.34N 90.38W 
10/27/2010  M44.00 MPH       RICHLAND           WI   AMATEUR RADIO   

            TREES DOWN IN TOWN

1053 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST BOSCOBEL                43.14N 90.70W 
10/27/2010  M47.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   ASOS            

1055 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E DECORAH             43.31N 91.73W 
10/27/2010  M45.00 MPH       WINNESHIEK         IA   AWOS            

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SW WINONA             44.01N 91.71W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       WINONA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER 

1105 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 SW MOUNT STERLING     43.30N 90.94W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       CRAWFORD           WI   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

1130 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W 
10/27/2010                   MOWER              MN   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            ROOF DAMAGE TO BUILDING WITHIN CITY LIMITS. REPORT 
            COURTESY OF KAAL-TV.

1135 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST CHARLES CITY            43.07N 92.68W 
10/27/2010  M54.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

1135 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST VIROQUA                 43.56N 90.89W 
10/27/2010  M55.00 MPH       VERNON             WI   AWOS            

1136 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ELGIN                   42.96N 91.63W 
10/27/2010                   FAYETTE            IA   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            POWER OUTAGES IN ELGIN AND CLERMONT. VALLEY COMMUNITY 
            SCHOOL CLOSING AT NOON DUE TO POWER LOSS. HIGH WIND BLEW 
            DOWN POWER LINES.

1140 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 SE NECEDAH            44.00N 90.04W 
10/27/2010                   JUNEAU             WI   CO-OP OBSERVER  

            SEVERAL TREES TOPPLED INCLUDING 8 INCH DIAMETER PINE 
            WHICH WAS SNAPPED 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. 

1200 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 SSW ROCHESTER         43.96N 92.51W 
10/27/2010  M46.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

1211 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N LA CROSSE           43.88N 91.23W 
10/27/2010  M52.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   ASOS            

1221 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG CHARLES CITY            43.07N 92.68W 
10/27/2010                   FLOYD              IA   BROADCAST MEDIA 

            POWER LOSS TO 1400 CUSTOMERS. REPORT COURTESY OF KCHA 
            RADIO.

1235 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W 
10/27/2010  M44.00 MPH       MOWER              MN   AWOS            

1244 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST VOLK FIELD              43.93N 90.27W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   ASOS            

1248 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW NECEDAH           44.03N 90.09W 
10/27/2010  M62.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   PARK/FOREST SRVC

1255 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E CHARLES CITY        43.07N 92.62W 
10/27/2010  M46.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

1255 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SSE PLATTEVILLE       42.70N 90.45W 
10/27/2010  M58.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   AWOS            

0125 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MUSCODA                 43.19N 90.43W 
10/27/2010                   GRANT              WI   EMERGENCY MNGR  

            ROOF DAMAGE AT APARTMENT BUILDING. NO INJURIES REPORTED.

0135 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E CHARLES CITY        43.07N 92.62W 
10/27/2010  M47.00 MPH       FLOYD              IA   AWOS            

0139 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST BOSCOBEL                43.14N 90.70W 
10/27/2010  M49.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   ASOS            

0142 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SSW ROCHESTER         43.97N 92.50W 
10/27/2010  M46.00 MPH       OLMSTED            MN   ASOS            

0155 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST AUSTIN                  43.67N 92.97W 
10/27/2010  M47.00 MPH       MOWER              MN   AWOS            

0207 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST VOLK FIELD              43.93N 90.27W 
10/27/2010  M51.00 MPH       JUNEAU             WI   ASOS            

0220 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S UNION               42.80N 90.52W 
10/27/2010  M63.00 MPH       GRANT              WI   TRAINED SPOTTER 

0244 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 N LA CROSSE           43.88N 91.23W 
10/27/2010  M48.00 MPH       LA CROSSE          WI   ASOS            


&&

Environment / Maps


Animation of surface weather observations, temperature, and isobars (lines of constant pressure) from 7 a.m. Oct. 25 to 7 a.m. Oct. 27.	Animation of 3-hour surface pressure changes from 6 p.m. Oct.25 to 12 Noon Oct.26. Blue/Purple areas are larger pressure falls. Green/Orange areas are larger pressure rises.	Animation of pressure / isobars (lines of constant pressure) from 5 a.m. Oct.26 to 7 a.m. Oct.27.


Water vapor satellite imagery from 8:25 p.m. Oct.25 to 7:31 a.m. Oct.27.	Trace of pressure readings for La Crosse, WI showing the large drop and climb as the storm system passes.	Trace of pressure readings for Rochester, MN showing the large drop and climb as the storm system passes.

Record Low Pressure

...LOWEST BAROMETRIC PRESSURE RECORD SET IN LA CROSSE WI...

AT 553 AM ON OCTOBER 26TH...THE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE FELL TO
971.4 MILLIBARS /28.685 INCHES OF MERCURY/. THIS JUST BARELY BEAT
THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 971.6 MILLIBARS /28.691 INCHES OF MERCURY/
ON NOVEMBER 10 1998. THE TABLE BELOW CONTAINS THE FIVE LOWEST
BAROMETRIC PRESSURES AT LA CROSSE WI SINCE 1933.

              LOWEST BAROMETRIC PRESSURE READINGS
                       AT LA CROSSE WI
                       1933 TO PRESENT

                           SEA LEVEL
            SEA LEVEL      PRESSURE
            PRESSURE       IN INCHES
RANK    IN MILLIBARS     OF MERCURY     DATE      TIME
----    ------------     ----------     ----      ----
    1        971.4          28.685     10/26/2010 553 AM
    2        971.6          28.691     11/10/1998 150 PM
    3        971.9          28.700     04/03/1982 900 AM
    4        972.6          28.720     11/11/1940 1250 PM +
    5        973.8          28.756     01/11/1975 500 AM

   + ARMISTICE DAY STORM

...THIRD LOWEST BAROMETRIC PRESSURE IN ROCHESTER MN...

AT 654 AM ON OCTOBER 26TH...THE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE FELL TO
972.9 MILLIBARS /28.73 INCHES OF MERCURY/ AT ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT. THIS WAS THIRD LOWEST BAROMETRIC PRESSURE. THE LOWEST
PRESSURE AT ROCHESTER WAS 964.8 MILLIBARS /28.49 INCHES OF MERCURY/
ON NOVEMBER 10 1998. THE TABLE BELOW CONTAINS THE FIVE LOWEST
BAROMETRIC PRESSURES AT ROCHESTER MN SINCE 1948.

              LOWEST BAROMETRIC PRESSURE READINGS
                       AT ROCHESTER MN
                       1948 TO PRESENT

                           SEA LEVEL
            SEA LEVEL      PRESSURE
            PRESSURE       IN INCHES
RANK    IN MILLIBARS     OF MERCURY     DATE
----    ------------     ----------     ----
    1        964.8          28.49      11/10/1998
    2        971.1          28.67      01/11/1975
    3        972.9          28.73      10/26/2010
    4        974.9          28.79      03/27/1950
    5        975.7          28.81      04/03/1982

Peak Wind gusts Oct.26th

...HIGHEST WINDS SORTED BY GUSTS FOR OCTOBER 26TH...

STATION                   COUNTY              TIME    SPEED     GUST

3 SW BARRE MILLS CWOP     LA CROSSE         820 PM   21 MPH   69 MPH 
2 SE EYOTA RWIS           OLMSTED           931 PM   35 MPH   59 MPH 
VIROQUA AWOS              VERNON            855 PM   37 MPH   56 MPH 
ROCHESTER ASOS            OLMSTED          1054 PM   36 MPH   56 MPH 
DODGE CENTER AWOS         DODGE             915 PM   39 MPH   54 MPH 
MEDFORD AWOS              TAYLOR           1155 PM   37 MPH   54 MPH 
2 N IONIA RWIS            CHICKASAW         736 PM   35 MPH   53 MPH 
LA CROSSE NWS CWOP        LA CROSSE         506 PM   26 MPH   52 MPH 
1 E MAUSTON RWIS          JUNEAU           1008 PM   18 MPH   52 MPH 
1 WNW NECEDAH RAWS        JUNEAU           1148 PM   24 MPH   51 MPH 
VOLK FIELD AWOS           JUNEAU            955 PM   25 MPH   51 MPH 
PLATTEVILLE AWOS          GRANT            1035 AM   35 MPH   49 MPH 
2 ESE CANTON RWIS         FILLMORE          524 PM   35 MPH   49 MPH 
CHARLES CITY AWOS         FLOYD             415 PM   26 MPH   48 MPH 
4 WSW RINGE CWOP          OLMSTED           703 PM   25 MPH   47 MPH 
3 S ROCHESTER CWOP        OLMSTED          1134 AM   22 MPH   47 MPH 
AUSTIN AWOS               MOWER            1155 AM   25 MPH   46 MPH 
BOSCOBEL ASOS             GRANT            1153 AM   23 MPH   46 MPH 
1 E BLACK RIVER FALLS RAWS JACKSON         1115 PM   17 MPH   46 MPH 
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS     CRAWFORD         1055 AM   29 MPH   46 MPH 
1 SW MOUNT STERLING RWIS  CRAWFORD          103 PM   28 MPH   46 MPH 
1 NE BEAR VALLEY CWOP     WABASHA          1100 PM   31 MPH   46 MPH 
1 W PLATTEVILLE CWOP      GRANT             100 PM   30 MPH   46 MPH 
4 E NORDNESS RWIS         WINNESHIEK       1223 PM   33 MPH   44 MPH 
1 ENE BOSCOBEL RAWS       GRANT             303 PM   17 MPH   43 MPH 
1 WNW FRENCH ISLAND RWIS  LA CROSSE         609 PM   17 MPH   40 MPH 
SPARTA AWOS               MONROE           1235 PM   23 MPH   39 MPH 
ST. ANSGAR CWOP           MITCHELL          538 PM   21 MPH   39 MPH 
1 W LA CROSSE CWOP        LA CROSSE         859 PM   24 MPH   39 MPH

KEY TO OBSERVATION TYPES 
AWS - SENSORS FROM AWS INCORPORATED. OFTEN LOCATED AT SCHOOLS. 
APRS - AUTOMATIC PACKET REPORTING SYSTEM. HAM RADIO WEATHER STATION DATA. 
CWOP - CITIZEN WEATHER OBSERVER PROGRAM. HOME WEATHER STATION DATA. 
RWIS - ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS. LOCATED ON MAJOR ROADS AND BRIDGES. 
RAWS - FIRE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS. OFTEN LOCATED IN FORESTS. 
ASOS/AWOS - AVIATION WEATHER OBSERVATIONS. LOCATED AT AIRPORTS.

OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING EQUIPMENT 
AND EXPOSURE.  NOT ALL DATA LISTED IS CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.

Peak Wind gusts Oct.27th

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 
115 AM CDT THU OCT 28 2010

...HIGHEST WINDS SORTED BY GUSTS FOR OCTOBER 27TH...

STATION                   COUNTY              TIME    SPEED     GUST  
SPRING VALLEY 3E          FILLMORE                            64 MPH 
2 SE EYOTA RWIS           OLMSTED           416 AM   41 MPH   63 MPH 
1 WNW NECEDAH RAWS        JUNEAU           1248 PM   20 MPH   62 MPH 
2 NNE TAMARACK RWIS       TREMPEALEAU       607 AM   35 MPH   61 MPH 
LA CROSSE ASOS            LA CROSSE         153 AM   21 MPH   59 MPH 
2 ESE CANTON RWIS         FILLMORE         1119 AM   41 MPH   58 MPH 
PLATTEVILLE AWOS          GRANT            1255 PM   45 MPH   58 MPH 
VIROQUA AWOS              VERNON            215 AM   29 MPH   58 MPH 
ROCHESTER ASOS            OLMSTED           154 AM   29 MPH   58 MPH 
VOLK FIELD AWOS           JUNEAU            255 AM   28 MPH   56 MPH 
DODGE CENTER AWOS         DODGE             655 AM   40 MPH   56 MPH 
2 N IONIA RWIS            CHICKASAW         926 AM   40 MPH   55 MPH 
1 W PLATTEVILLE CWOP      GRANT            1240 PM   35 MPH   55 MPH 
1 ENE BOSCOBEL RAWS       GRANT            1103 AM   24 MPH   54 MPH 
CHARLES CITY AWOS         FLOYD            1135 AM   33 MPH   54 MPH 
2 SSE KELLOGG RWIS        WABASHA           644 AM    9 MPH   53 MPH 
4 E NORDNESS RWIS         WINNESHIEK       1037 AM   26 MPH   52 MPH 
MEDFORD AWOS              TAYLOR            455 AM   32 MPH   51 MPH 
1 E MAUSTON RWIS          JUNEAU            108 AM   22 MPH   51 MPH 
1 SW MOUNT STERLING RWIS  CRAWFORD          403 PM   25 MPH   51 MPH 
LA CROSSE NWS CWOP        LA CROSSE         230 AM   22 MPH   51 MPH 
PRESTON AWOS              FILLMORE         1036 AM   37 MPH   49 MPH 
BOSCOBEL ASOS             GRANT             153 PM   28 MPH   49 MPH 
ST. ANSGAR CWOP           MITCHELL          808 AM   38 MPH   49 MPH 
4 WSW RINGE CWOP          OLMSTED           513 AM   16 MPH   48 MPH 
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AWOS     CRAWFORD          115 PM   36 MPH   48 MPH 
1 WSW ONALASKA CWOP       LA CROSSE         200 PM   24 MPH   48 MPH 
MAUSTON CWOP              JUNEAU           1022 AM   36 MPH   48 MPH 
1 WSW MAPLE LEAF CWOP     HOWARD           1024 AM   28 MPH   48 MPH 
3 NE LUBLIN RAWS          TAYLOR            614 AM   23 MPH   47 MPH 
AUSTIN AWOS               MOWER             155 PM   26 MPH   47 MPH 
1 NE BEAR VALLEY CWOP     WABASHA           520 AM   40 MPH   46 MPH 
2 NE EAST DUBUQUE RWIS    GRANT             403 PM   26 MPH   46 MPH 
3 S ROCHESTER CWOP        OLMSTED          1124 AM    6 MPH   46 MPH 
DECORAH AWOS              WINNESHIEK       1055 AM   17 MPH   45 MPH 
2 N TOMAH RWIS            MONROE           1010 AM   15 MPH   44 MPH 
1 E BLK RVR FALLS RAWS    JACKSON          1115 AM   14 MPH   41 MPH 
3 N VIROQUA CWOP          VERNON            949 AM   15 MPH   41 MPH 
SPARTA AWOS               MONROE           1138 AM   21 MPH   41 MPH 
4 NNW RIDGEVILLE RWIS     MONROE           1206 PM   12 MPH   40 MPH 
KENDALL CWOP              MONROE           1141 AM   16 MPH   40 MPH 
WINONA AWOS               WINONA            734 AM   18 MPH   39 MPH 
1 WNW FRENCH ISLAND RWIS  LA CROSSE         210 PM   15 MPH   37 MPH 
3 SE WATERVILLE RAWS      ALLAMAKEE        1107 AM   10 MPH   35 MPH 
DE SOTO CWOP              CRAWFORD          101 AM   10 MPH   33 MPH

KEY TO OBSERVATION TYPES 
AWS - SENSORS FROM AWS INCORPORATED. OFTEN LOCATED AT SCHOOLS. 
APRS - AUTOMATIC PACKET REPORTING SYSTEM. HAM RADIO WEATHER STATION DATA. 
CWOP - CITIZEN WEATHER OBSERVER PROGRAM. HOME WEATHER STATION DATA. 
RWIS - ROAD WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS. LOCATED ON MAJOR ROADS AND BRIDGES. 
RAWS - FIRE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS. OFTEN LOCATED IN FORESTS. 
ASOS/AWOS - AVIATION WEATHER OBSERVATIONS. LOCATED AT AIRPORTS.

OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING EQUIPMENT 
AND EXPOSURE.  NOT ALL DATA LISTED IS CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.

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