High Wind — Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains, Montana

2025-12-17 · Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

Several RAWS stations, including HRKM8 Harkness, LMRM8 Antelope, and BRRM8 Brenner in addition to mesonet station MTMQM Monida Pass (MT DOT) measured gusts in excess of 60 mph. The peak observed gust was 68 mph at Brenner.

Wider weather episode

Robust low to mid level flow westerly flow associated with a potent shortwave and attendant cold fronts resulted in a prolonged period of high-end winds and gusts across the entire region Dec 17 into the 18th. Multiple gusts in excess of 90 mph were observed in populated areas, with a peak observed gust of 104 mph west of Bynum. Prolonged power outages were observed across the region, mostly due to trees being damaged/falling over completely. Additional societal impacts included extremely difficult to impossible travel conditions, which prompted a Civil Emergency Message for areas along the Rocky Mountain Front the afternoon of the 17th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1303324. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.