Weather Blog: Wild And Windy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a wildly, windy day just last Thursday where winds gusted into the mid-50 mph range across the state, another day of whipping winds is in store Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning in effect until 8 p.m. for northwest and extreme west-central Minnesota where wind gusts of 55+ mph are likely. The highest wind gust reported so far in this region is 47 mph at Lake Park, as of 12 p.m.

The remainder the state, with the exception of the extreme southeast, is under a Wind Advisory until 10 p.m. Expect constant wind speeds of 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph possible. The timing of the strongest winds in the Twin Cities looks to be late this afternoon and into the evening. The occurrence of the strong winds today is in relation to the approach of a closed area of low pressure that will pass to our north overnight.

The windy conditions though will not blow away this extreme warmth we've been experiencing with another 80+ degree in store Friday. The current heat streak began last Sunday and has continued with 80 degree highs at MSP each day since, and once the mercury hits 80 on Friday, this will make for the longest stretch of 80 degree days in October since 1953!

The warmest day of the stretch occurred on Oct. 5 with a high of 88 degrees which broke the 132-year-old record set in 1879. We have a shot for a seventh 80-degree day for Saturday. But with mostly cloudy conditions, the chance for showers and cooler air approaching from the north, highs will more likely settle in the upper 70s.