High Wind — Eastern Teton, Montana

2019-12-31 · Eastern Teton, Montana

Event narrative

Mesonet station delmt dellwo (mcscn).

Wider weather episode

Upper level ridging from the Pacific NW to the Canadian prairies becomes suppressed as a potent upper level jet and accompanying plume of Pacific moisture moves onto the BC/WA coast. Jet and moist plume noses into the Northern Rockies late then orients more northwesterly and sags southward as a surface low emerges east of the Canadian Rockies and kicks out across the Prairies. Main hazards associated with this system are strong winds across portions of north-central MT and mountain snow along The Continental Divide affecting the forecast area. Winds increase Monday night through Tuesday morning along the east slopes as the surface pressure gradient increases across The Rockies with strong gusts possible by Tuesday morning along areas immediately east of The Rocky Mountain Front. By Tuesday night strong winds are likely to expand further east as strongest winds aloft and an embedded mid level shortwave moves across the region. Period of strongest winds looks to continue through at least Wednesday morning for these areas. With favorable temp/wind profiles for enhanced downslope winds expected east of The Rocky Mountain Front.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 870138. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.