Mother Nature delivered on the promise of gusty winds Wednesday, with readings across the Pembina and Red River Valleys pushing 80 km/h in a couple of locations.

According to the Manitoba Ag Weather Network and Environment Canada, here are some of the peak wind gusts from Wednesday afternoon:

Cartwright 81 km/h
Pilot Mound 80 km/h
Snowflake 79 km/h
Morden, Baldur, Brunkild 77 km/h
Gretna 75 km/h
Manitou 74 km/h
Emerson 66 km/h
Dominion City 70 km/h
Elm Creek 69 km/h
Altona, Kane 68 km/h
Winkler, Morris 64 km/h
Carman 60 km/h

Environment Canada ended the Wind Warning that had been in effect for most of the day mid afternoon. The strong westerly winds are expected to continue into the evening, diminishing somewhat overnight into Thursday, and shifting to northwesterly at 40 km/h to 60 km/h. The windy conditions will diminish further by Thursday night.

Meanwhile, seasonal daytime highs will return Thursday, in the -13 to -15 range, with a brief warm-up expected Friday and Saturday seeing temperatures once again reaching slight above average for this time of year.

“The long range forecast models are showing cold, arctic air will finally break southward in the Sunday/Monday range, and that’s setting up what could be a few days of below average temperatures to start next week,” said CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner Wednesday afternoon. “Now, there’s a phrase we haven’t said at all this season!”