Why Nebraska is one of the windiest  states in the union was evident on Monday with Grand Island, Hastings and Aurora other points in south central Nebraska reported wind gusts of more than 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings.

Peak gusts for area communities on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings, were: Grand Island, 54 mph, 6:41 a.m.; Aurora, 54 mph, 3:10 a.m.; Hastings, 52 mph, 2:04 a.m.; Ord, 51 mph, 9:27 a.m.; and Kearney, 48 mph, 7:35 a.m.

According to the NWS, “These winds were howling on the backside of a strong surface low pressure system centered in the Upper Great Lakes region.”

Monday was the peak day of strong winds that lasted over a four day period. Average wind speed Monday in Grand Island was 27.4 mph. On Sunday, 20.6 mph; Saturday, 13.1 mph; and Friday, 16.4 mph.

With no storms in the forecast through next week, conditions will be mostly sunny with daytime temperatures in the 20s. Starting Thursday night, nighttime lows will be near zero and daytime highs in the lower 20s.