High Wind — Northern High Plains, Montana

2025-01-31 · Northern High Plains, Montana

Event narrative

Montana mesonet sensor measured sustained winds, averaged over an hour of 50 mph. This event spans two months.

Wider weather episode

A period of gusty winds and locally heavy snow spanned two months (January and February) associated with an upper level low the dug southward from the Gulf of Alaska toward Vancouver Island. Ahead of the system a period of strong westerly to southwesterly mid level flow set the stage for a period of gusty winds across commonly windy areas over the plains (Rocky Mountain Front, MT200 corridor), in addition to the Madison River Valley and adjacent areas. Areas of snow developed between two separate waves within the digging trough, which brought a localized heavy snow report along the Southern Rocky Mountain Front.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1240233. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.