Tuesday night's (1/29/08) strong winds were caused by a pressure gradient. A large and or rapid change of atmospheric pressure across a point (central Mississippi). After the storms moved to the east of the area (low pressure) a very strong cold front swept across the area followed by a large and strong area of high pressure. The large difference in pressure from low to high across the region caused very strong wind gusts from 30-45mph. Yes those are strong winds but not usually strong enough to create numerous power outages. I am wondering if the strong winds that affected most of the region we able to knock down some trees and limbs was because of weakened and dead wood in the wake of Katrina. It is just a thought.