High Wind — Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera, Montana

2024-10-18 to 2024-10-19 · Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera, Montana

Event narrative

Many sensors measured 58+mph gusts, including a peak gust of 64 mph at LJ Johnson Ambient sensor. ASOS sensor KCTB Cut Bank Airport, mesonet MTSWT Sweetgrass, mesonet DW0975 Kevin, and AWOS station KSBX Shelby Airport also measured 58+ mph gusts. ASOS KCTB also measured sustained winds, averaged over an hour, of 40 mph.

Wider weather episode

A splitting trough resulted in a period of heavy snow across the high terrain of Madison and Gallatin counties late Oct 17 into the 18th. Further, as the trough pulled away, a secondary wave diving SE from BC resulted in strong cross barrier flow, ridgetop stability and hence strong wind gusts across the plains adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front. A strong pressure gradient also helped stronger gusts occur near the Rocky Mountain Front.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1211521. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.