Thunderstorm Wind — Wheatland, Montana

2020-07-07 · near Judith Gap, Wheatland, Montana

Event narrative

An enhanced microburst, around the intersection of 297 and Bercail Road , with winds estimated at 70-75 mph, resulted in a swath about 2 to 3 miles of wind driven rain and hail that sheared grasses and crops. Significant crop damage occurred with grass and wheat fields sheared to the ground. In addition, numerous, large cottonwood limbs with leaves stripped were downed. A small, elevated silo was blown over and minor roof damage occurred to a couple of structures. Highway 287 had pea size to 1/2 inch size gravel blown on it from the shoulder.

Wider weather episode

A very similar set-up was in place on the 7th as was the case on the 6th.

An upper low was situated over the Pacific Northwest. This resulted in a southwest flow aloft across the Billings Forecast Area. This pattern was quite favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. A strong southeast, surface flow advected 50+ degree dewpoints from the central Plains northwestward across the entire Billings Forecast Area. In addition, a strong jet stream overhead provided plenty of speed shear over the area. This all resulted in a few supercell thunderstorms which then evolved into a squall line.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.6400, -109.4800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 894456. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.