It’s -30 degrees here in MT at the wind farm in Judith Gap this morning, and not a single wind turbine is turning.
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Temperatures below -22 F will cause the materials wind turbines are made of to become brittle and shatter, so they must be shut down at and below these temperatures. The atmospheric changes from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas is what causes wind. Anyone who lives in wintery climates know that when it gets really cold, the wind often stops blowing because the cold air is there to stay for awhile (Canadian prairies). Ice accumulation on the blades also make them less aerodynamic and ice falling from one blade onto another can cause expensive damage. Generally speaking, wind turbines are ill-suited for power generation during Canadian and northern state winters.
That must be why there are so freaking MANY of them in Minnesota and the Dakotas (and apparently, also in Montana).