High Wind — Northern High Plains, Montana

2025-12-15 to 2025-12-16 · Northern High Plains, Montana

Event narrative

Multiple sensors in this zone, including MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge, MT Mesonet stations Dog Gun Lake E, Wetzel NE, and Dupuyer N, and MTBWG Browning DOT measured gusts in excess of 75 mph or sustained winds averaging 50 mph or greater over at least an hour. The peak observed gust was 94 mph at the Browning DOT sensor.

Wider weather episode

Strong zonal flow ahead of an initial shortwave during the afternoon of the 15th was translated to the surface through early on the 16th. These winds were stronger and more widespread than the previous event a day prior, but paled in comparison to the winds that developed just a day or so later on the 17th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1303312. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.