An unprecedented storm system lifted across the central Plains from December 15 into the early hours of December 16. Kinematic fields were at the top of the climatological distributions, leading to extreme wind shear in the lowest levels. Ahead of the system, record high temperatures with surface dew point values into the 50s and lower 60s surged toward northwest Iowa and resulted in instability not typically found in December.
A serial derecho developed across Nebraska and Kansas during the early afternoon and raced to the northeast toward Iowa and Minnesota, with widespread damaging wind and a few tornadoes.
As the cold front swung through the area behind the convective line, 60 to 75 mph winds aloft were mixed to the surface and resulted in a few synoptic wind gusts up to hurricane force. Some light wintry precipitation also fell during the transition toward the much colder air, which led to flash freezing as temperatures fell as much as 40 degrees during the overnight hours.

High Wind in JACKSON, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 21:55:00 to 16-DEC-21 00:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 60 mph during the evening and into the early overnight, with a peak wind gust of 77 mph at the Jackson Municipal Airport (KMJQ).

High Wind in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 21:55:00 to 15-DEC-21 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained winds briefly reached 40 to 45 mph during the evening, with a peak wind gust of 58 mph at the Windom Municipal Airport (KMWM).

High Wind in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 22:55:00 to 16-DEC-21 00:25:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 41.00 MS
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 50 mph during the evening and into the early overnight, with a peak wind gust of 54 mph at the Marshall Municipal Airport (KMML). In addition, light snowfall resulted in visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.

High Wind in LINCOLN, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 20:00:00 to 15-DEC-21 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Reported by: Department of Highways

Sustained winds reached 43 mph at Minnesota Road Weather Information site MN030 3 miles south of Hendricks. In addition, brief snowfall resulted in visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.

High Wind in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 20:00:00 to 15-DEC-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 45 mph during the evening, with a peak wind gust of 60 mph at the Quentin Aanenson Field Airport (KLYV) and a peak wind gust of 56 mph at the Slayton Municipal Airport (KDVP). In addition, brief snowfall resulted in visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.

High Wind in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 20:35:00 to 15-DEC-21 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 45 mph during the evening, with a peak wind gust of 60 mph at the Quentin Aanenson Field Airport (KLYV). In addition, brief snowfall resulted in visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.

High Wind in MURRAY, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 22:13:00 to 16-DEC-21 00:33:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 40.00 MS
Reported by: AWOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 46 mph during the evening and into the early overnight, with a peak wind gust of 56 mph at the Slayton Municipal Airport (KDVP). In addition, light snowfall briefly resulted in visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.

High Wind in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 15-DEC-21 21:20:00 to 16-DEC-21 01:20:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Sustained winds reached 40 to 50 mph during the evening and into the early overnight, with a peak wind gust of 64 mph at Worthington Municipal Airport (KOTG). In addition, light snowfall resulted in brief visibility restrictions below 1 mile, making travel difficult.