High Wind — Northern High Plains, Montana

2024-11-16 to 2024-11-17 · Northern High Plains, Montana

Event narrative

Montana Mesonet site DOGGU Dog Gun Lake E measured a 76 mph gust. Additionally, mesonet sensor MTBWG Browning DOT (72 mph), mesonet sensor MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge DOT (61 mph), and mesonet station SHBM Browning (65 mph) all measured criteria gusts.

Wider weather episode

Although the region was between systems, strong cross barrier flow along the Rocky Mountain Front and a modest ridgetop inversion resulted in mountain waves over the adjacent plains. Additionally, strong winds below the inversion in and around Great Falls were translated to the surface over multiple hours the morning of the 17th, with gusts in excess of 70 mph observed at the Great Falls Airport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1219205. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.