High Wind — Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

2025-12-17 · Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

A few sensors in this zone measured gusts of 58 mph or greater or sustaiend winds of 40 mph or greater averaged over at least an hour, including RAWS stations EKHM8 Elkhorn and GAAM8 Galena, and mesonet stations MTSPK Spokane Creek (MT DOT) and MTCLN Clancy (MT DOT). Public reports were also received from Montana City and Clancyof pine trees down blocking roadways. THe peak observed gust was at Spokane Creek (75 mph).

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 1303482. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.