High Wind — Fergus County Below 4500ft, Montana

2024-09-29 to 2024-09-30 · Fergus County Below 4500ft, Montana

Event narrative

Multiple sensors measured sustained winds and gusts of high wind criteria, including KMVH N Bar Ranch AWOS which measured multiple gusts in excess of 58 mph including a peak gust of 66 mph. Additionally, AWOS stations K1OM Oscar (40 mph sustained, averaged over and hour and a 58 mph gust), and K1NM (59 mph gust) measured criteria winds/gusts.

Wider weather episode

A robust upper level trough broke down an upper level ridge September 29. Robust southerly winds aloft ahead of the front resulted in numerous gusts around 40-50 mph, with one in excess of 58 mph in Dillon. Behind an associated cold front across North-central Montana strong winds developed along the Rocky Mountain Front, adjacent plains, and in lee of terrain across eastern portions of North-central Montana during the 29th into the early morning hours of the 30th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1210883. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.