High Wind — Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Montana

2024-05-07 · Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Montana

Event narrative

RAWS station FBLM8 Fort Belknap RAWS measured multiple gusts in excess of 60 mph, including a peak of 65 mph.

Wider weather episode

A closed upper level low lifted northeast across eastern Montana on May 6th through the 9th. This low merged with a shortwave streaming from the Pacific Northwest. This storm system brought strong winds across Central and North Central Montana with the highest wind gust measured near Whitlash where a mesonet station measured an 87 mph gust. Widespread wind gusts of 55 and 75 mph were measured. Most damage was limited to trees being uprooted and power outages, but an exterior barrier of a high school roof was torn off by the wind in Shelby. Additionally, ample precipitation was observed with this system. Precipitation was mostly rain at lower elevations and fell as heavy snow in the mountains. Blizzard conditions were observed in the Little Belts, where multiple feet of snow was observed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1176074. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.