Very warm and very windy day across the area today, with both High temps and peak wind gusts both near 50!

 Flag blowing in strong southwest winds on a warm and very windy February 26th 2012

It was very windy and warm day across the area today as both high temperatures and peak wind gusts were both near 50, and in one cause of wind, the Byron Station had a peak gust of 50MPH today. The good news is there were no reports of damage anywhere from this wind. Both today's wind and the warm was in response to a strong winter storm hitting northern Minnesota, which is dropping quite a bit of snow, around 6-10" north of Duluth. No snow to be found here in Southern Minnesota, though that will be changing starting next week.

St Marys Park, West Downtown Area

It was very windy all day today out of the southwest, but the strongest winds occurred around 2pm here in Rochester. The Rochester Airport recorded a 48MPH gust, and the weather station on top of St Marys Hospital right behind the house had a 47MPH gust. I am finding out that the more open terrain here in Southern Minnesota leads to quite a bit more wind compared to my hometown becuase wind gusts during wind events it seems to easily reach over 40MPH. This is the 3rd time this season winds have gone over 40MPH and the 2nd time higher then 45MPH.

Swelling Silver Maple buds February 26th 2012

The continued warmth is leading to many things normally associated more with the end of next month to start now. The buds on Silver Maples are starting to swell! Today's high was 48.F here at my station.

 High Temperatures and Highest wind gusts today.

Today's highest wind gust was 50MPH from Byron, and the highest temperature was in inner city Rochester areas with highs around 48.F