Alert archive / Montana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 2, NWS Glasgow, MT

June 2, 2023Garfield County, Montana

NWS Glasgow, MT issued this flash flood warning at Jun 2, 2023, 4:33 PM MDT for Garfield County, Montana. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 2, 2023, 4:33 PM MDT (22:33 UTC)
Expired
Jun 2, 2023, 10:30 PM MDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Glasgow, MT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Garfield County, MT

The radar

The Glasgow radar (KGGW), 107 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:33 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 forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Glasgow, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jun 2, 3:45 PM MDT, 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 2, 3:45 PM MDT, 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
345 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

.DISCUSSION...

AFTERNOON UPDATE:

The focus continues to be on excessive rainfall this afternoon
and tonight. Also, scattered thunderstorms have developed and the
strongest are likely producing small hail. Marginal severe hail is
the primary severe threat, but a funnel cloud or landspout cannot
be ruled out with a similar environment to yesterday.
Precipitable water is around or above climatological maxima across
the area, approaching 1.5" which is about the forecast rainfall
tonight in a corridor from Glasgow to Winnett. Most totals will
likely be a half inch to inch, with localized areas near 2" or
more.

Short-term models like the RAP and HRRR indicate MU CAPE
approaching 2000 J/kg by early this evening in the Glasgow
vicinity, with surface to 3km shear around 40 mph. The limiting
factor is less surface heating reducing lapse rates compared to
yesterday. Kept the current Flood Watch as-is until 6am Saturday
and will handle localized advisories or warnings as needed by
monitoring rainfall reports and radar estimates.

Each of the next several days continues to bring moderate
confidence for some scattered thunderstorms, but there is little
concern for significant rainfall or severe storms at this time.
The environment remains anomalously muggy driving the storms, with
high temperatures heating up to near 90 by midweek and lows
staying well into the 60s for a prolonged period. This also gives
moderate confidence for some minor heat concerns.

-Zanker

MORNING DISCUSSION:

Light showers will continue across our region through the morning,
gradually increasing as we head into the afternoon and evening
hours. Morning accumulations are expected to be less than a tenth
of an inch for most locations with higher amounts expected later
this afternoon as thunderstorms begin to develop.

When evaluating the QPF again this morning, QPF totals decreased
slightly but still remain high enough to justify the Flood Watch
especially given some of the rain rates we received across the
region last night. That being said, there was no reason to expand
the watch past its current boundaries as the main threat will
remain towards the east, particularly in Phillips, Valley,
Petroleum, and Garfield counties. Storm total QPF is expected to
range from half an inch in our eastern zones to as much as an inch
and a half in our western zones with locally higher amounts
possible.

Regarding the severe threat for this afternoon there are a few
things to note. 0-6 km bulk shear looks to max out across the
central portion of our CWA in the range of 30 to 55 kts. MLCAPE
values look to be generally less than 1000 J/kg with sporadic
MLCIN values that range from nothing to -150 J/kg. Some of the
CAMs are picking up on a potential for some severe weather in the
area and overall seem to be more robust with predictions compared
to what was seen this time yesterday morning with regards to
yesterday afternoon. But the disclaimer worth adding is that the
CAMs have struggled as of late to capture the full picture of how
precip has developed and moved across our region.

When painting an overall picture for the chance of severe weather
this afternoon the best consensus is there is certainly a chance
for severe thunderstorms but there is still a decent bit of
uncertainty when trying to pin down the location and extent of the
greatest threat. And with mostly cloudy skies expected to
continue through most of the day, the lack of good diurnal heating
might become a hindrance for storm development in some locations.
That being said, this afternoon will need to be monitored closely
for any changes.

-thor

&&

.AVIATION...

UPDATED: 2100Z

FLIGHT CAT RANGE: VFR - MVFR

DISCUSSION: Numerous showers and thunderstorms have initiated
across the area early this afternoon and will continue into early
Saturday morning, especially around KGGW. They are slow-moving
with the main threat being heavy rainfall, but small hail and
gusty winds are expected with the strongest storms through this
evening. Expect generally brief MVFR visibility reductions from
the strong thunderstorms and heavy rain, then some MVFR ceilings
from low clouds are possible for KGGW Saturday morning.

Some TAF amendments are likely.

WINDS: Prevailing northeast to east at 5-10 knots tonight, then
southeast at 10-15 knots on Saturday. Wind speed and direction may
shift erratically under thunderstorms.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

The stagnant weather pattern and moisture rich atmosphere will
lend itself to efficient heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms
through early Saturday morning. The heaviest accumulations are
favored west of a Scobey to Terry line, particularly from Glasgow
to Winnett where localized amounts of 1-2" are most likely.
Localized heavy rainfall since yesterday along the Musselshell
River near Mosby has prompted a quick rise to near flood stage
this morning, with a Flood Warning issued for temporary minor
flooding forecast through tomorrow.

Anyone planning outdoor activities should closely monitor the
latest forecasts and any possible flood advisory or warning that
may be issued. Alternate plans will need to be considered in order
to address public safety concerns.

Current headlines as of 3pm Friday:

-Flood Warning for the Musselshell River at Mosby until 6pm
 Saturday

-Flood Advisory for portions of southwest Phillips county until
 4pm Saturday

-Flood Watch until 6am Saturday for Phillips, Valley, Daniels,
 Petroleum, Garfield, McCone, Prairie and western Roosevelt
 counties.

&&

.GLASGOW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through late tonight for Central and Southeast
Phillips...Central and Southern Valley...Daniels...Garfield...
McCone...Northern Phillips...Northern Valley...Petroleum...
Prairie...Southwest Phillips...Western Roosevelt.

&&

weather.gov/glasgow

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 2, 1:18 PM MDT, 3 hours 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
118 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

MTZ025-022000-
Dawson MT-
118 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Dawson
County through 200 PM MDT...

At 117 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southeast of Glendive, moving northwest at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Glendive, West Glendive, Stipek and Forest Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4694 10441 4688 10451 4723 10509 4746 10471
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 148DEG 43KT 4697 10451

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Mickelson
Local storm report, Jun 2, 2:21 PM MDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
221 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0756 PM     Landspout        8 SW West Fork          48.60N 106.01W
06/01/2023                   Daniels            MT   NWS Storm Survey

            A survey team was sent out for a visually
            confirmed landspout. We received public and
            law enforcement reports at approximately
            7:56 pm MDT, lasting about 10 minutes as
            estimated from radar imagery. No visible
            damage to properties or fields.

&&

AE
Special weather statement, Jun 2, 3:11 PM MDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jun 2, 3:45 PM MDT, 48 minutes before
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      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
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        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
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      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
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Special weather statement, Jun 2, 4:01 PM MDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Glasgow MT
401 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

MTZ018-022245-
Daniels MT-
401 PM MDT Fri Jun 2 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Daniels
County through 445 PM MDT...

At 357 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Peerless, or 16 miles west of Scobey, moving northwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Peerless.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4866 10562 4862 10572 4874 10601 4889 10578
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 139DEG 9KT 4871 10577

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

Mickelson

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 1, 8:06 PM MDTTornado WarningGGWDaniels, Valley24 min
Jun 1, 8:29 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGGWDaniels, Valley30 min
Jun 1, 8:56 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels64 min
Jun 1, 9:12 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWRichland63 min
Jun 1, 9:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan58 min
Jun 1, 9:58 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels62 min
Jun 1, 10:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWGarfield, McCone, Richland54 min
Jun 1, 10:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan64 min
Jun 1, 10:49 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGGWDaniels, Sheridan56 min
Jun 1, 10:55 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWGarfield, Petroleum65 min
Jun 1, 11:14 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan61 min
Jun 1, 11:57 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels, Garfield, Petroleum, Sheridan, Valley63 min
Jun 2, 1:18 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDawson42 min
Jun 2, 2:27 PM MDTRiver Flood WarningGGWGarfield, Petroleum30 hr
Jun 2, 3:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWGarfield64 min
Jun 2, 3:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWRichland45 min
Jun 2, 4:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels44 min
Jun 2, 5:10 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGGWDaniels73 min
Jun 2, 5:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWValley50 min
Jun 2, 5:15 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGW45 min
Jun 2, 5:42 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWDaniels63 min
Jun 2, 5:52 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGGWGarfield, Valley6 hr
Jun 2, 5:57 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementGGWPhillips63 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Montana, 2023Every flash flood warning in 2023

Sources

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