Measured 131 mph Winds From Convective Complex Pound Northern Plains
Forecasters say a strong elevated mixed layer and an intensifying low‑level jet drove storms to consolidate into fast-moving bowing complexes that will carry the damaging-wind threat northeastward.
Overview
- A long-lived storm complex in south‑central South Dakota produced measured gusts up to 131 mph on Monday morning, with multiple other gusts over 100 mph that appear to be extreme straight‑line winds.
- The NWS Storm Prediction Center kept high‑confidence Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Watches in effect and flagged several corridors with up to a 95 percent probability of watch issuance earlier in the event.
- The event began with discrete supercells that produced very large hail and isolated tornadoes, then scaled up into bowing MCS structures that shifted the main hazard from hail to widespread damaging winds.
- Forecasters linked the upscale growth to a strong elevated mixed layer, 50–60+ kt low‑level jets near 850 mb, surface lows/drylines, and mesoscale vortices that enhanced inflow and rear‑inflow into the systems.
- The bowing complexes continue to push northeast into parts of northeast South Dakota, southeast North Dakota, and west‑central Minnesota with expected 60–100+ mph gusts possible and risks for structural damage, power outages, and travel disruption.