Greensboro, NC -- Winds in excess of 60 mph tore through the Triad Friday night and brought down trees and took out power in many locations.

Associated with a larger complex of storms, a derecho, moving through Virginia the strong winds raced southeast away from the parent storm. The severe winds in the Triad, however, were associated with what is called a gust front.

A gust front is the leading edge of the cooler and drier air that rushes out ahead of the main storm. In the case of the severe weather in the Triad the thunderstorms that triggered this line were in Virginia.

This line of severe winds stretched across most of the WFMY viewing area. Reports came in to WFMY from Mount Airy to Asheboro of downed trees and loss of power. 

As the winds moved through gusts were estimated to be around 60 mph as the entire system raced to the southeast at around the same speed.

The winds quickly relaxed after the initial passage of the leading edge of the gust front.

 

WFMY News 2