NWS La Crosse Severe Thunderstorm Reference Table (Wind)

Lake-Effect Snow through Friday; Strong Winds in the Northern and Central Plains

A clipper-like system will drop down from Canada on Thursday, bringing wintry weather from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes through Friday. This system is expected to bring strong northerly winds to much of the northern and central High Plains Thursday afternoon through Friday, with gusts up to 60 mph expected. Read More >

Wind Speed (mph)	Description
Calm - 2	Smoke rises vertically; trees do not move
3 - 6	Wind motion visible; felt on skin
7 - 10	Leaves / flags in constant motion
11 -15	Wind heard; Leaves rustle
15 - 20	Dust is raised; Small branches move
20 - 25	Small trees sway; Flags in full motion
26 - 32	Large branches move; Whistling heard in wind
33 - 40	Whole trees move; Difficult to walk
41 - 49	Twigs break; Leaf loss; Cars can veer off road
50 - 57	Small branches break; Leaf litter in streets; Minor roof and sign damage possible
START OF SEVERE CRITERIA
58 - 65	Tree damage or large branches break; Light structural damage
66 - 73	Tree and structural damage; Crop damage possible
74+	Widespread tree, crop, and structural damage

Wind Speed (mph)

Description

Calm - 2

Smoke rises vertically; trees do not move