SIDNEY - Yes, it has been windier across the Sidney area this spring, but trying to compare wind speeds from years past gets tricky.

"Unfortunately, there's not a ton of climatological data regarding wind speeds from years past, so it's difficult to compare this season to previous ones," WeatherEye Meteorologist Nick Carlyle said. "Although, based on what we've seen across that region, I think it's safe to assume that the winds have consistently stayed above average and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future."

According to Carlyle, the country has been feeling the effects of a longer than usual, and stronger, La Niña event in the Pacific Ocean, a naturally occurring climatological event that typically last about a year or less. However, they can last up to two to three years.

"We are well into that second year now, so it will eventually come to an end, possibly as early as this fall," Carlyle said. "During a La Niña, cooler than average ocean temperatures not only affect the position of the jet stream, but also its strength. In a La Niña event, the jet stream is at its strongest across the central part of the country during the winter and early spring months, causing strong winds and wind gusts at the surface."

Strong weather systems traveling along the jet stream have caused tight temperature and pressure gradients contributing to strong winds across the Nebraska Panhandle, northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming in March and April.

That was seen from a system that moved through this weekend. Temperatures were in the 20s and 30s in parts of the Dakotas, but highs on the Great Plains climbed into the 80s and 90s. As a result, numerous wind advisories and high wind warnings were issued. 

The highest wind reports on Friday were registered at the Scottsbluff Airport, at 83 mph, and in Gering, at 79 mph. The Sidney Airport reported wind speeds at 74 mph, the Torrington Airport was at 67 mph, the Chadron Airport topped out at 66 mph, and Alliance recorded speeds at 59 mph.

Keep loose objects tied down or stored away, because, according to Carlyle, the dangerously high wind events - with the addition of severe weather and extreme fire potential - will continue through at least the late spring and early summer months. 

"Those wind events should hopefully become less frequent as the La Niña event shows signs of weakening, but they can be particularly dangerous as the weather gets warmer," Carlyle said. "With warmer temperatures, less humidity and precipitation, and strong wind gusts, it can easily cause wildfires. Those wildfires can also be easily caused from lightning if the ground is relatively dry."

Dry conditions are forecast to continue the next couple weeks, according to Carlyle. He says weather models show very dry conditions with drought continuing to persist. 

Winds diminish Monday and Tuesday, but increase again by Wednesday through next weekend. There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday, but it doesn't look like anything significant in terms of moisture.