High Wind in Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera, Montana

Numerous stations in this zone reported high wind gusts. The peak gust was recorded at ASOS station KCTB Cut Bank Airport of 75 mph. They also had an average sustained wind of 45 mph between 4:20am to 1:15pm MST on the 8th. Mesonet Station Mission Lake S MINM8 reported long duration high sustained winds for approximately 4.5 hours on the 7th, and 10 hours on the 8th.

A fast-moving shortwave upper level trough followed by a shortwave ridge tracking near the International Border produced a strong surface pressure gradient on the 7th and accompanying strong winds across North-Central MT. Heading into the 8th, the upper level ridge broke down. This day brought a longer duration of strong sustained winds and widespread strong wind gusts over North-Central MT.