High Wind — Montgomery, Iowa

2025-12-28 · Montgomery, Iowa

Event narrative

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 61 mph near Emerson, IA and 58 mph near Villisca, IA.

Wider weather episode

On December 28, 2025, an intensifying, neutrally tilted mid-to-upper-level trough moved across the region, enhanced by a strong southwesterly jet streak nosing into the Central Plains. At the surface, a low-pressure system centered over central Kansas tracked eastward, dragging a sharp cold front across eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Strong forcing for ascent and elevated instability ahead of the trough facilitated the development of convective snow showers and a post-frontal band of precipitation.

As the front passed, convective snow showers pushes across the area. Behind the front, the tightening pressure gradient produced widespread wind gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range. Sporadic, higher gusts were also observed, including 62 mph measurements from a mesonet in Lincoln, NE, and a personal weather station in Omaha, NE. Additional gusts of 58 to 61 mph were recorded across Seward and Cass counties in Nebraska, and Mills and Montgomery counties in Iowa.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1305536. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.