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Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds in the Central Plains; Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall in the Lower Mississippi Valley

Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are expected across the Central Plains into the Mid Missouri Valley. Widespread precipitation and heavy mountain snow will continue across the Northwest. Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening from parts of east Texas into Louisiana. Heavy rainfall is likely tonight across eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Read More >

Overview

A potent cold front swept through the region on the late afternoon and evening of Wednesday, January 13th, 2021. Behind the front, northwesterly winds became very strong. Wednesday night through Thursday night, winds across the area were sustained at 35 to 50 mph, with gusts of 60 to more than 80 mph. In Harding County, a gust of 93 mph was measured with the frontal passage! Winds finally diminished Friday morning. Numerous rollovers were reported during this long duration high wind event, especially along I-90 across western South Dakota. Many homes and businesses sustained property damage, and several wind driven grass fires produced additional damage.

The image to the right shows the wind observations at the NWS office near downtown Rapid City for the duration of the high wind event.
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NWS Rapid City Wind Observations
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