Strong winds pushed across the Dakotas on Saturday, with reports over 70mph.
In South Dakota, 14 miles west of Lower Brule, at 10:48 a.m. Saturday, they saw a wind gust of 60mph. Lower Brule was not alone; the Rapid City Airport also saw winds peaking at 60mph.
In northeast South Dakota, Sisseton saw a gust of up to 54mph during the morning hours.
The winds were more robust in North Dakota, with hurricane-force winds in several locations. The afternoon's peak gust at Minot Air Force Base and Williston Airport reached 78mph. About five miles south of Devils Lake, the weather service reported a gust of 75mph.
Because of the winds and continued dry conditions, Red Flag Warnings were up for dangerous fire conditions. The dry conditions are expected to continue for the remainder of the weekend and into the week.
South Dakota Wind Reports (+50mph):
6 Mi SW Joe Creek Rec Area - 60.00mph
14W Lower Brule - 60.00mph
3 Mi NW Wasta - 57.00mph
3 Mi NNW Scenic - 56.00mph 2E Sisseton - 54.00mph
4N Altamont - 53.00mph
Rapid City Airport - 53.00mph
13 Mi NE Newell - 52.00mph
9 Mi SE Mud Butte - 52.00mph
Vivian - 51.00mph
Pierre Airport - 51.00mph
1 Mi NE Midland - 50.00mph