Powerful storm system sets record for lowest pressure reading over central North America..

The powerful storm system that has been affecting the eastern Prairies has set new records for all time lowest barometric pressure readings for this part of the world. Yesterday's storm bottomed out at 955.2 mb (28.21") at Bigfork Minnesota, in the northern part of the state, late yesterday afternoon. This is the lowest pressure reading of all time in Minnesota, eclipsing the previous record of 963 mb in Nov 1998. (see NWS Duluth storm summary on this event) It is also the second lowest barometric reading ever recorded in the contiguous US, second only to a 955.0 mb (28.20") reading in Canton NY (Jan 1913) and Nantucket MA (Mar 1932) (There is a report of a 952 mb (28.10") reading during a noreaster on Long Island in March 1914, but this is not in official NCDC records. For more info, see storm system in historical perspective) 

Barometer trace from my home 
weather station on Oct 26 2010
Lowest reading was 966 mb
at 4:44 pm

In Winnipeg, the barometer fell to 967 mb, the lowest pressure on record at Winnipeg airport since at least 1953 when hourly readings began getting archived (previous lowest pressure since then was 974 mb on Nov 20 1962).  Official pressure readings for Winnipeg are available before 1953, but are not digitally archived. A reading of 966 mb was recorded in Winnipeg on Oct 10 1949 during an intense fall storm over southern MB that was reported as the lowest pressure ever recorded in the city. That is still likely the lowest pressure reading on record for Winnipeg since 1872. 

The lowest pressure in the province yesterday was recorded in Sprague at 960 mb, closer to the low center as it tracked over Fort Frances, Ontario at 957 mb. The storm brought strong winds, rain, and snow over a large part of central North America, and at least two dozen tornadoes over the Ohio Valley. In southern Manitoba, the storm produced heavy rain through the Red River valley and Interlake regions (50-90 mm), as well as the season's first snowfall over western Manitoba, mainly over the higher elevations of Riding and Turtle Mountains where 15-30 cm of snow was reported. In addition, northerly winds gusting to 95 km/h generated large waves and high water levels on the Manitoba lakes producing severe local flooding in some near shore communities including Winnipegosis, Gimli and Winnipeg Beach. The strong winds also led to beach erosion and wind damage on the southeastern shore of Lake Winnipeg including at Victoria Beach and Grand Beach. Lakeside residents are calling the storm the worst they've seen in at least 40 years..