High Wind — Northern High Plains, Montana

2025-01-23 · Northern High Plains, Montana

Event narrative

Multiple sensors measured winds and gusts reaching criteria, including Montana mesonet sensor Dog Gun Lake E (Acedoggu), which measured a 76 mph gust.

Wider weather episode

Upper level troughing diving southeastward from the Gulf of Alaska brought a period of zonal to slightly northwesterly flow aloft to the region January 23. A strong ridgetop inversion allowed for mountain wave activity to develop, which in combination with an increased pressure gradient and cross barrier flow resulted in gusty winds along the Rocky Mountain Front out to Cut Bank.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1240222. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.