Too Cool: Check Out This Animated Map Of The Wind

Living here in southeastern Minnesota, we know it can get pretty windy. And, the stats back us up: according to a weather.com list, Rochester is officially the second windiest city in the country. But how come it's so windy here and not in other parts of the country?

This cool, animated wind map might help explain things. While I'm not sure why it's so much windier here than in other parts of the country (although I'm guessing our relatively flat, prairie-like landscape is a big help), this map shows how the wind currents are 'blowing' across the country.

If you're a mild weather geek like me, it's cool to check this map each day to see which direction our winds are blowing, where they're coming from, and how it's different from the day before. I also found it interesting that, according to the weather.com list, January and April are our windiest months here in southeast Minnesota.  (Although, I could have told you that myself, after trying to ride against the wind on my mountain bike last spring...)