Thunderstorm Wind — Flathead, Montana

2019-08-10 · near Bigfork, Flathead, Montana

$50K

Property damage

52 MG

Magnitude

Event narrative

Multiple thunderstorms collided together just south of Flathead Lake and produced a severe gust front that tracked north to the Flathead Valley. Multiple observers reported that the strong winds lasted for up to 15 minutes. Dozens of toppled trees, damaged power poles, transmission and distribution lines were reported from Bigfork up to Columbia Falls from strong winds. Power outages lasted for 24 hours. The golf course in Bigfork reported losing 59 trees, mostly spruce from 20 to 30 feet tall with diameters between 18 inches and 2.5 feet. The restaurant at the golf course lost all their food due to the power outage.

Wider weather episode

Multiple thunderstorms brought large hail and wind across western Montana.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.0700, -114.0700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 849720. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.