High Wind — Red Lodge Foothills, Montana

2021-06-10 · Red Lodge Foothills, Montana

Event narrative

Very strong winds at mountain top level mixed down to the surface for several hours. These winds were estimated at 80 mph which resulted in damage just above and south of the city of Red Lodge. Most of the damage occurred around 400 Ranch, south of Red Lodge. Damage included numerous powerlines down along with an estimated couple hundred trees blown down and uprooted. In addition, downed trees caused damage to one vehicle.

Wider weather episode

Severe thunderstorms began across the western half of the Billings Forecast Area during the afternoon of the 10th. A few of these thunderstorms continued into the early evening hours. An inverted trough and strong jet stream moved over the area during this time. In addition, a strong cold front moved across the entire forecast area during the late afternoon hours through the late evening hours. All of these factors led to a few severe thunderstorms producing large hail and damaging winds. The largest hail reported was 2.5 in diameter with the strongest thunderstorm winds being 75 mph.

A different scenario developed behind the front across the Beartooth/Absaroka and Red Lodge Foothills. Very strong winds aloft mixed down to the surface as 50 to 75 mph winds continued for several hours behind the front. These winds resulted in additional damage. Locally higher winds estimated at 80 mph occurred just above and to the south of the city of Red Lodge.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 955046. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.