Winter Weather — Fergus County Below 4500ft, Montana

2024-05-07 to 2024-05-08 · Fergus County Below 4500ft, Montana

Event narrative

Fergus Electric COOP posted several photos on Facebook showing numerous power poles knocked over due to a combination of strong winds and ice building up on the lines. Areas hit hardest were in Judith Basin and Fergus counties. No snow observation reports were received for the lower elevations of Fergus county. $224,000 in damages were done to utilities.

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 1180214. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.