High Wind — Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

2024-10-04 · Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

Two gusts in excess of 58 mph were observed in this zone. The first at MTSPK Spokane Creek US-287 DOT sensor (63 mph), and the second at RAWS station EKHM8 Elkhorn, which measured a 60 mph gust.

Wider weather episode

A robust shortwave shifting eastward from the Pacific Northwest eclipsed the Northern Rockies during the day October 4. At the surface, a surface trough slowly increased in magnitude through the day before ejecting eastward as a surface low late afternoon. As the surface low pulled away, a strong cold front (Aided by 50-70kt winds within the first few thousand feet of the surface) swept across the region. Mechanical mixing allowed for multiple 70+ mph gusts to be realized at the surface, even with the front passing after sunset for most locations.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1209328. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.