Minneapolis, Minnesota – A powerful burst of fall winds is sweeping across much of Minnesota today, making for blustery commutes and sporadic power outages from Alexandria to the Twin Cities and south toward Mankato and Albert Lea. The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen has a Wind Advisory in effect through 6 p.m. Tuesday for nearly all of central, east-central, and south-central Minnesota.
Forecasters report northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, strongest during the late morning and afternoon hours. The gusts will be capable of snapping small branches, knocking down loose objects, and causing spotty power outages. Blowing debris could briefly reduce visibility on rural highways.
According to the National Weather Service, the most intense gusts are expected across Hennepin, Anoka, Wright, Kandiyohi, and Goodhue counties, including the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should use caution on Interstate 94, I-35, and Highway 169, where crosswinds may be strong.
Residents are urged to secure patio furniture, trash bins, and other outdoor items that could blow away. The winds will gradually diminish after sunset as skies remain clear and temperatures fall into the 30s overnight. Calmer weather is expected midweek, though another breezy system could move in by Thursday night.
