High Wind in Cascade County Below 5000ft, Montana

Numerous weather stations reported high wind gusts with a few also reporting high sustained winds over the span of 3 to 7 hours. The highest wind gust was measured at Montana mesonet station Sun River SE of 73 mph, and also measured an average sustained wind of 49 mph from 8:55am to 4:40 pm MST. The public and the Great Falls Airport ASOS reported reduced visibility due to blowing dust. Multiple reports of fences, trees and powerline damages across the city of Great Falls. A roof was blown off of Lincoln Elementary School in Great Falls.

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.