High Wind — Madison River Valley, Montana

2025-12-17 · Madison River Valley, Montana

Event narrative

Mesonet station MTNOR Norris Hill (MT DOT) measured a 59 mph gust and high sustained winds of 44 mph, averaged over 2.5 hours. Additionally, AWOS station KEKS Ennis Airport measured sustained winds, averaged over an hour and 40 minutes, of 41 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 1306414. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.