Produced by a ripple in the high energy jet stream, a potent storm has developed over the Northern Plains and, as of this morning, is centered over Minnesota. Its trailing cold front blasted through Columbia at 1:45 AM, bringing rain and gusty winds but no severe weather; those farther east, where the air has been primed by a swath of Gulf moisture, may not fair as well and severe thunderstorms are forecast for the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. Worse yet, blizzard conditions are expected northwest of the storm's center, where wrap-around moisture, cold air and strong winds will collide.
The primary damage from this storm will likely be from high wind gusts; its central low matches that of many hurricanes and its wind field extends from the Dakotas to the Ohio Valley. While we have dodged the severe weather, central Missouri remains within the storm's massive reach and strong westerly winds should persist for the next 24 hours.
Expected to drift to the northeast, the storm will likely produce most of its havoc in the Great Lakes region, shutting down airports and shipping lanes as its ferocious winds rake the area. After a beautiful, mild October, this storm reminds us that winter's fury will soon descend on the Heartland.
