High Wind — Meagher County Valleys, Montana

2025-12-17 · Meagher County Valleys, Montana

Event narrative

A wunderground sensor at IngerRanch 5 WSW of Martinsdale measured a gust of 86 mph. Additionally, a trained spotter reported a 67 mph gust 1 mile SW of White Sulphur Springs.

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 1306415. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.