Alert archive / Montana / High Wind Warnings in 2021

High Wind Warning 19, NWS Billings, MT

December 18, 20214 counties in Montana

NWS Billings, MT issued this high wind warning at Dec 18, 2021, 2:40 PM MST for 4 counties in Montana. It was in force for 25 hr. 25 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
Dec 18, 2021, 2:40 PM MST (21:40 UTC)
Expired
Dec 19, 2021, 3:19 PM MST
In force
25 hr
Issued by
NWS Billings, MT

Counties Park County, MT, Stillwater County, MT, Sweet Grass County, MT, Wheatland County, MT

The radar

The Billings radar (KBLX), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:40 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
Dec 18, 3:00 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 529 Se Melville, MT
Dec 18, 3:24 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 816 Ene Livingston, MT
Dec 18, 5:07 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5312 Se Emigrant, MT
Dec 18, 5:12 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5317 Ne Wilsall, MT
Dec 18, 7:15 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 559 Se Melville, MT
Dec 19, 12:07 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5512 Se Emigrant, MT
Dec 19, 12:12 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5917 Ne Wilsall, MT
Dec 19, 12:14 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 563 Wsw Nye, MT
Dec 19, 12:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 502 Wsw Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 12:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 716 Ene Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 12:20 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5111 S Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 1:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 569 Se Melville, MT
Dec 19, 1:46 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 582 Wsw Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 1:50 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5211 S Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 1:53 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 746 Ene Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 2:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 659 Se Melville, MT
Dec 19, 3:01 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 632 Wsw Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 3:12 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6217 Ne Wilsall, MT
Dec 19, 3:27 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 796 Ene Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 4:07 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6212 Se Emigrant, MT
Dec 19, 4:15 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 866 Ene Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 4:16 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 742 Wsw Livingston, MT
Dec 19, 8:12 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 7117 Ne Wilsall, MT
Dec 19, 10:07 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6412 Se Emigrant, MT
Dec 19, 11:00 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 559 Wnw Absarokee, MT

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

The nearest sounding before it

Great_falls, MT (KTFX), launched 12:00Z, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 185 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, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2021-12-18Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Great_falls, MT at 12:00Z on 2021-12-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 229 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
2895 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
229 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
240 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

554 
WWUS75 KBYZ 182140
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
240 PM MST Sat Dec 18 2021

MTZ065-066-192145-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.211218T2140Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, and McLeod
240 PM MST Sat Dec 18 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds gusting up to 80 mph and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Livingston Area and Beartooth Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds and blowing snow will make travel 
  very difficult along Interstate 90 from Livingston to Big Timber
  and roads along the Beartooth Foothills.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow could cause blizzard-like
  conditions. Prepare for visibility as low as one-quarter mile
  and slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load, 
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area. 

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Keep a winter 
emergency kit in your vehicle.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$
5 follow-up statements
501 
WWUS75 KBYZ 190340
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
840 PM MST Sat Dec 18 2021

MTZ065-066-200000-
/O.CON.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, and McLeod
840 PM MST Sat Dec 18 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds gusting up to 80 mph and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Livingston Area and Beartooth Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds and blowing snow will make travel 
  very difficult along Interstate 90 from Livingston to Big Timber
  and roads along the Beartooth Foothills.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow could cause near blizzard
  conditions, with visibility educed below one mile at times.
  Prepare for fluctuations in visibility slick roads.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Keep a winter
emergency kit in your vehicle.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$
768 
WWUS75 KBYZ 190956
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
256 AM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

MTZ065-066-200000-
/O.CON.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, and McLeod
256 AM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Southwest winds gusting up to 80 mph and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Livingston Area and Beartooth Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Sunday. Strongest winds expected through
  mid morning with slowly diminishing wind speeds through the
  afternoon hours. 

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds and blowing snow will make travel 
  very difficult along Interstate 90 from Livingston to Big Timber
  and roads along the Beartooth Foothills.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow could produce near whiteout
  conditions at times. Be prepared for fluctuations in visibility
  and slick roads.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Keep a winter
emergency kit in your vehicle.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at 
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$
929 
WWUS75 KBYZ 191033
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
333 AM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

MTZ141-172-200000-
/O.EXA.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Northern Sweet Grass-Melville Foothills-
Including the cities of Big Timber and Melville
333 AM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds gusting up to 65 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Sweet Grass and Melville Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon. The strongest winds will
  occur this morning with slowly weakening winds this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds and blowing snow will make travel
  very difficult at times, including along Highway 191 from Big 
  Timber to Harlowton.
 
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow could produce near whiteout
  conditions at times. Be prepared for fluctuations in visibility
  and slick roads.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Keep a winter
emergency kit in your vehicle.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at 
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$

MTZ065-066-200000-
/O.CON.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, and McLeod
333 AM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Southwest winds gusting up to 80 mph and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Livingston Area and Beartooth Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST Sunday. Strongest winds expected through
  mid morning with slowly diminishing wind speeds through the
  afternoon hours. 

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds and blowing snow will make travel 
  very difficult along Interstate 90 from Livingston to Big Timber
  and roads along the Beartooth Foothills.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow could produce near whiteout
  conditions at times. Be prepared for fluctuations in visibility
  and slick roads.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Keep a winter
emergency kit in your vehicle.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at 
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$
027 
WWUS75 KBYZ 192118
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
218 PM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

MTZ065-066-200000-
/O.CON.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, and McLeod
218 PM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Southwest winds gusting up to 65 mph.

* WHERE...Livingston Area and Beartooth Foothills.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM MST today.

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds will make travel very difficult 
  along Interstate 90 from Livingston to Big Timber and roads 
  along the Beartooth Foothills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$

MTZ141-172-200000-
/O.CON.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Northern Sweet Grass-Melville Foothills-
Including the cities of Big Timber and Melville
218 PM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...West winds gusting up to 60 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Sweet Grass and Melville Foothills.

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

* IMPACTS...Strong crosswinds will make travel very difficult at 
  times, including along Highway 191 from Big Timber to Harlowton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you are driving a high profile vehicle with a light load,
consider alternative routes or delaying travel in this area.

Additional graphics for this hazard can be found at
http://www.weather.gov/billings

$$
621 
WWUS75 KBYZ 192219
NPWBYZ

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Billings MT
319 PM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

MTZ065-066-141-172-192330-
/O.CAN.KBYZ.HW.W.0019.000000T0000Z-211220T0000Z/
Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-Northern Sweet Grass-
Melville Foothills-
Including the cities of Livingston, Fishtail, McLeod, Big Timber,
and Melville
319 PM MST Sun Dec 19 2021

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

The strongest winds have ended. Therefore the High Wind Warning
has been cancelled. Winds could still gust to 50 mph late this 
afternoon.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Billings, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 18, 2:41 PM MSTWinter Weather AdvisoryBYZBig Horn, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Park, Rosebud, Stillwater and 4 more44 hr

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Montana, 2021Every high wind warning in 2021

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.