Scattered Severe Thunderstorms Across the Northern Plains; Fire Weather Concerns in the Western U.S.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast across central and eastern North Dakota, as well as far northwest Minnesota Saturday (Slight Risk level 2 of 5). Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will persist through the weekend across the Western U.S. Isolated dry thunderstorms could lead to new fire starts over portions of the northern Rockies. Read More >

Beaufort Wind Scale

#	MPH	Knots	Description	Specifications
0	< 1	< 1	Calm	Smoke rises vertically.
1	1-3	1-3	Light Air	Direction of wind shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes.
2	4-7	4-6	Light Breeze	Wind felt on face; Leaves rustle; Wind vanes moved by wind
3	8-12	7-10	Gentle Breeze	Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; Wind extends light flag.
4	13-18	11-16	Moderate	Raises dust, loose paper; Small branches moved.
5	19-24	17-21	Fresh	Small trees begin to sway; Crested wavelets form on inland waters.
6	25-31	22-27	Strong	Large branches in motion; Whistling heard in telephone wires; Umbrellas used with difficulty.
7	32-38	28-33	Near Gale	Whole trees in motion; Inconvenience felt walking against the wind.
8	39-46	34-40	Gale	Twigs break off trees; Wind generally impedes progress; Mobile homes may shake.
9	47-54	41-47	Strong Gale	Slight structural damage occurs; Mobile homes, sheds, roofs, lanais, and RV's suffer minor damage.
10	55-63	48-55	Storm	Small trees uprooted; Moderate damage occurs to mobile homes and RV's; Brick and wood frame houses receive minor structural and roof damage; Some signs blown down.
11	64-73	56-63	Violent Storm	Moderate sized trees uprooted; Large branches snapped off trees; Chimneys and road signs toppled; Significant mobile home damage; Power lines downed.
12	74-95	64-83	Hurricane Category 1	Mobile homes overturned; Large trees and branches downed; Moderate roof damage to wood and brick homes; Minor pier damage.

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