Alert archive / Montana / High Wind Warnings in 2020

High Wind Warning 3, NWS Missoula, MT

March 4, 2020Flathead County, Lake County, Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this high wind warning at Mar 4, 2020, 8:00 AM MST for Flathead County, Lake County, Montana. It was in force for 3 hr. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 4, 2020, 8:00 AM MST (15:00 UTC)
Expired
Mar 4, 2020, 11:00 AM MST
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Flathead County, MT, Lake County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:00 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 4, 8:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 535 Ene Lonepine, MTMESONET STATION MTM58 4.8 E LONEPINE (MT-MESO).
Mar 4, 9:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 426 N Whitefish, MTMESONET STATION BIGMS 6.3 N WHITEFISH (GNP).
Mar 4, 9:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 492 Sw Blacktail - Railro, MTMESONET STATION SH7MT SHED 7.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 12:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 177 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2020-03-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Spokane, WA at 12:00Z on 2020-03-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 510 square meters per square second.1939587897117136156Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1188 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
94 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
510 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
563 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

216 
WWUS75 KMSO 041500
NPWMSO

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

MTZ002-041800-
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0003.200304T1500Z-200304T1800Z/
West Glacier Region-
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM MST THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan 
  Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM MST this morning.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. 
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be 
  difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around
trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of
your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if
you must drive.

&&

$$

MTZ001-003-042100-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200304T2100Z/
Kootenai/Cabinet Region-Flathead/Mission Valleys-
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph 
  expected. Isolated higher gusts are possible.

* WHERE...Highway 2 Kalispell to Libby, Highway 37 Eureka to 
  Libby, Highway 56 Bull Lake Road, Highway 93 Eureka to 
  Whitefish, Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and 
  Polson.

* WHEN...Until 2 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ043-050000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200305T0000Z/
Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected. Low visibility is possible under snow showers.

* WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley 
  Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ005-042100-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200304T2100Z/
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The 
  strongest winds will be in the northern Bitterroot Valley 
  including Stevensville. Low visibility is possible under 
  heavier snow showers.

* WHERE...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

* WHEN...Until 2 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ007-050000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200305T0000Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-
800 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph 
  expected. Isolated higher gusts are possible. Low visibility 
  is also possible under heavier snow showers.

* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to 
  Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$
1 follow-up statement
200 
WWUS75 KMSO 041806
NPWMSO

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

MTZ002-042100-
/O.EXP.KMSO.HW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-200304T1800Z/
/O.EXA.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200304T2100Z/
West Glacier Region-
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan 
  Lake, Marias Pass, and Polebridge.

* WHEN...Until 2 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ001-003-042100-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200304T2100Z/
Kootenai/Cabinet Region-Flathead/Mission Valleys-
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* WHERE...Highway 2 Kalispell to Libby, Highway 37 Eureka to 
  Libby, Highway 56 Bull Lake Road, Highway 93 Eureka to 
  Whitefish, Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, and 
  Polson.

* WHEN...Until 2 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ043-050000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200305T0000Z/
Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley 
  Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ005-042100-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200304T2100Z/
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

* WHEN...Until 2 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

MTZ007-050000-
/O.CON.KMSO.WI.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-200305T0000Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-
1106 AM MST Wed Mar 4 2020

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to 
  Elliston, Homestake Pass, and MacDonald Pass.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

&&

$$

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Montana, 2020Every high wind warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.