Good Question: What's The Windiest Month In Minnesota?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Cold, blustery winds were whipping across Minnesota Monday, flapping flags and blowing hair across the state. It seemed to be the windiest day of the year, so far.

The wind is a sign of spring, a time when Minnesota sees double-digit averages.

So what is the windiest month in Minnesota? Good question.

"It's definitely the changing of the season," WCCO Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer said. "There are a couple of things. First of all, you have the jet stream, which we always talk about. What it does is goes in waves and buckles, and as it's lifting, we're catching those waves."

The average wind speed in April is 11.2 miles per hour. It's followed by May, with an average of 10.4 miles per hour. March is close behind, at 10.3 miles per hour.

The wind can sometimes pick up on spring afternoons as the sunshine heats up the air, creating pockets of high and low pressure.

The windiest part of Minnesota is to the southwest, where wind turbines dot the countryside.

The least windy months are July and August, when a little wind might be appreciated with the warmer temperatures and humidity.