Thunderstorm Wind in Lincoln County, Montana

A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm winds between 50 to 60 mph that caused tree damage and power outages in the area. The wind developed 10 to 12 minutes before brief heavy rain fell. They reported that the wind caused 4 big healthy fir and one yellow pine tree with a diameter of up to 2 feet to fall over. They also observed a few cottonwood trees with their tops blown off. A 200 person awning from a wedding was damaged while a part of the roof trim from the Bull Lake Fire Department blew off as a result of the wind. Timing is based on reports and post-radar analysis.

An upper level wave initiated strong thunderstorms across eastern Washington into Northern Idaho during the afternoon of August 2. The majority of these storms brought damaging wind that extended into northwest Montana. Above normal temperatures with dry surface conditions contributed to strong outflow winds from Heron to Troy to Libby. As a side note the COOP observer located 18 miles north of Troy reported a high of 99 degrees.