A very unusual warm, windy and dry air mass moved northward across the upper midwest on May 20. During the early morning hours of May 20th, sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph occurred across west central Minnesota. These winds continued through the day and expanded eastward across eastern Minnesota by the lunch hour. During the afternoon, peak wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph occurred across a large area of southern and east central Minnesota...as well as portions of west central Minnesota. These winds in combination of the recent dry soil conditions across southern Minnesota, led to areas of blowing dust which was the top soil of many farms across southern Minnesota. Visibilities were reduced as low as two miles in the blowing dust which was transported northeast across most of east central Minnesota during the afternoon. During the time of peak wind gusts, there were several reports of large trees blown down and minor damage to roofs. The following are some of the highest wind speeds recorded on Wednesday.
Redwood Falls. 55 mph.
St. James. 54 mph.
Fairmont. 54 mph.
Waseca. 53 mph.
Owatonna. 51 mph.
Tracy. 51 mph.
Twin Cities International Airport. 50 mph.
Eden Prairie. 50 mph.

Strong Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 20-MAY-09 13:00:00 to 20-MAY-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Several reports of blown down telephone poles, utility poles and large trees occurred across portions of Hennepin County.  Xcel crews reported 5900 customers without power during the afternoon. The city of Minnetonka reported live electrical lines that snaked across a  parking lot and over parked cars outside Weber's Westdale Flowers and Home and Garden center, new Horizon Daycare, and an office building on 15300 block of Minnetonka Boulevard.

Strong Wind in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 20-MAY-09 13:00:00 to 20-MAY-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The county highway department cleared debris from roadways and fixed stop signs that were blown over during the afternoon in Redwood Falls, as sustainted winds of 50 to 55 developed.

Strong Wind in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 20-MAY-09 13:00:00 to 20-MAY-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 47.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Two areas in St. James, Minnesota had minor wind damage as strong winds develop during the afternoon of May 20th. The residence of Mr. Hillis Peterson had one of their large Basswood trees fall. His home was on 11th Ave South in St. James. In addition, the business of Performance Plating, which is also on 11th Ave, had a section of their roof torn loose by the high winds.

Strong Wind in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 20-MAY-09 13:00:00 to 20-MAY-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Strong winds of 50 to 55 mph caused an 18-wheeler to flip over near Cannon Falls and caused numerous trees to fall between Kenyon and Cannon Falls.

Strong Wind in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 20-MAY-09 12:45:00 to 20-MAY-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large 18 diameter tree fell down in the Prior Lake area.