Fall is definitely here now. It’s a time of the year when you expect bright, cool days (saw that Sunday). And, it’s a time of the year when strong winds blow down a storm of leaves from the trees (getting that today).
Winds have been howling this morning, and as of early afternoon, we’re still getting gusts between 30 and 40 mph. At one point, there was a Wind Advisory in effect for areas along and west of I-49.
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Our strongest winds have been to the west. Joplin reported a gust of at least 47 mph. Springfield has had gusts to 40 mph.
A strong storm system passing through the Upper Midwest is drawing warm air quickly north. It’s also producing some very strong winds aloft in what is known as a low-level jet. This river of air is about a mile off the surface, and some of that wind energy is getting brought down to the surface as the sun heats up the surface.
The low-level jet will shift east of the area by this evening with winds gradually subsiding, especially near and after sunset.
This is a favored time of the year for wind as colder air masses develop across Canada and drop into the U.S. This generates a contrast in temperatures that powerful areas of low pressure like to develop. The sharp pressure differences generate strong winds as the atmosphere works to even out the imbalance.
Winds will be brisk again on Tuesday, but should be lighter throughout the remainder of the week…