High Wind — Western and Central Chouteau County, Montana

2024-10-04 · Western and Central Chouteau County, Montana

Event narrative

Multiple gusts at or above 58 mph were observed across Chouteau county, including a peak gust of 75 mph measured by a co-op observer 4 NNE of The Knees. Additional sensors that measured gusts in excess of 58 mph include the Fort Benton Airport K79S, the DOT sensor at Loma (MTLOM), mesonet station GW3863 Carter, mesonet station MTM02 10 miles S of Loma, and mesonet station GW3862 18 miles NW of Loma.

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 1209337. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.