Alert archive / Montana / High Wind Warnings in 2025

High Wind Warning 2, NWS Missoula, MT

December 16, 2025Clearwater County, Idaho County, Lemhi County, Idaho; 11 counties in Montana

NWS Missoula, MT issued this high wind warning at Dec 16, 2025, 9:26 AM PST for Clearwater County, Idaho County, Lemhi County, Idaho; 11 counties in Montana. It took effect at Dec 17, 2025, 1:00 AM PST. It was in force for 18 hr. 60 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 16, 2025, 9:26 AM PST (17:26 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 17, 2025, 1:00 AM PST
Expired
Dec 17, 2025, 7:00 PM PST
In force
18 hr
Issued by
NWS Missoula, MT

Counties Clearwater County, ID, Idaho County, ID, Lemhi County, ID, Deer Lodge County, MT, Flathead County, MT, Granite County, MT, Lake County, MT, Lincoln County, MT, Mineral County, MT, Missoula County, MT, Powell County, MT, Ravalli County, MT, Sanders County, MT, Silver Bow County, MT

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 32 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:26 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 17, 2:48 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 534 S Grangeville, IDMesonet station AS773 High Camp.
Dec 17, 3:43 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 523 Nw Pollock, IDMesonet station FW8176 Pollock.
Dec 17, 5:45 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 521 W Dent, IDMesonet station DENI Dworshak - Dent Acres.
Dec 17, 6:09 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 53Grangeville, IDMesonet station AS684 Grangeville.
Dec 17, 6:13 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Sw Harpster, IDHighway 13 between MP 6 and 11 was shut down due to power lines lying across the highway.
Dec 17, 6:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 573 Sse Ferdinand, IDMesonet station 2992 D2 - Frei Hill.
Dec 17, 6:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 732 Ese Greer, IDMesonet station 3022 D2 - Top of Greer Grade.
Dec 17, 6:28 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 Ese Noxon, MTPower line down.
Dec 17, 6:30 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 513 Wsw Georgetown, MTMesonet station MTGTL 2.7 W Georgetown (MT DOT).
Dec 17, 6:34 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 732 Wsw Harpster, IDPrivate weather station KIDGRANG55.
Dec 17, 6:40 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Se Tuscor, MTTree blocked one lane of Highway 200.
Dec 17, 6:44 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG11 Nne Heron, MTMultiple fallen trees all along MT-56.
Dec 17, 6:49 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 623 Se Winona, IDThe power went out shortly after the wind gust report.
Dec 17, 6:52 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 611 Ene Syringa, IDMesonet station SYRI1 Syringa.
Dec 17, 6:57 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 645 Ene Burgdorf, IDMesonet station TS815 Kelly Ridge.
Dec 17, 6:59 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 635 E Evaro, MTMesonet station PNTM8 Point 6.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 691 Wnw Plains, MTAWOS station KS34 Plains.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 754 Sse Cottonwood, IDMesonet station 2982 D2 - Concrete Section.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 8711 Ne Stryker, MTMesonet station LKMMT Link Mountain.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG7 Sse Grangeville, IDMultiple trees downed along Grangeville Salmon Road. Power outages were still going on later in the evening in Elk City and Dixie.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMGGrangeville, IDMultiple trees down in the area. Shingles blown off roofs in Grangeville. Schools were closed because of the winds.
Dec 17, 7:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMGOrofino, IDThe county issued a statement that most Clearwater County roads were blocked or partially blocked by downed trees. Schools were closed due to the wind. A tree branch went through a roof of a trailer home in Hidden Village. A statement that travel was not recom
Dec 17, 7:03 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5725 Nw Shoup, IDMesonet station HHAI1 Hells Half Acre Mtn.
Dec 17, 7:08 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 571 W Dent, IDMesonet station DNFI1 Dent.
Dec 17, 7:10 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5619 E Swan Lake, MTMesonet station TT727 Spotted Bear Lookout.
Dec 17, 7:14 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 544 Se Marion, MT
Dec 17, 7:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 535 Sse Finn, MTMesonet station MTAVN 5.2 SE Finn (MT DOT).
Dec 17, 7:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 561 Ene Ninemile, MTMesonet station MTNNM 0.9 E Ninemile (MT DOT).
Dec 17, 7:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 582 N Grangeville, IDAWOS station KGIC Grangeville.
Dec 17, 7:15 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 64Moiese, MTMesonet station MTM94 Cskt Bison Range.
Dec 17, 7:16 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 502 Nnw Trout Creek, MTMesonet station TRCM8 Cabinet.
Dec 17, 7:20 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG7 W Lolo, MTStrong winds blowing trees and debris onto US-12 west of Lolo from milepost 16 to 32.6.
Dec 17, 7:24 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 636 Wnw Missoula, MTASOS station KMSO Missoula, MT.
Dec 17, 7:32 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 542 Ese Evergreen, MTMesonet station MTFLT Flathead River Mt 35 Mp49.
Dec 17, 7:37 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 903 S Missoula, MTMesonet station GW0378 Missoula.
Dec 17, 7:39 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 545 Nne Williams Lake, ID
Dec 17, 7:40 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 623 Sse Butte, MTASOS station KBTM Butte-mooney Ap.
Dec 17, 7:40 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6315 E Mackay Bar, IDMesonet station LPFI1 Lodgepole.
Dec 17, 7:45 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 631 S Warm Springs, MTThis was the highest before the power went out until 1pm MST.
Dec 17, 7:46 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 511 Sw Evaro, MTMesonet station MTEVH Evaro Hill Us-93 Mp 5.5.
Dec 17, 7:46 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 601 W Bonner, MTMesonet station MTBON Bonner I-90 Mp 110.3.
Dec 17, 7:48 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 586 E Yellowjacket, IDMesonet station BAEI1 Red Rock Peak.
Dec 17, 7:48 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 594 Sse Salmon, IDAWOS station KSMN Salmon Awos.
Dec 17, 7:50 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG2 Se Salmon Prairie, MTDowned tree partially blocking southbound lane of Highway 83.
Dec 17, 7:50 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG4 Sse Condon, MTDowned tree partially blocked southbound lane of MT-83 at MP 38.5.
Dec 17, 7:51 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 6511 Wsw Shoup, IDMesonet station SKFI1 Skull Gulch.
Dec 17, 7:53 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 56Turah, MTMesonet station EW8564 East Bonner.
Dec 17, 7:55 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 642 Sse Pablo, MTAWOS station K7S0 2 SSE Pablo.
Dec 17, 7:55 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 67La Salle, MTASOS station KGPI Kalispell.
Dec 17, 7:59 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 502 Ene Baker, ID
Dec 17, 7:59 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 604 Nw Bell Crossing, MT
Dec 17, 7:59 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 895 E Evaro, MTPoint 6 at 7897 feet. Sustained speed was 53 mph. This station had a gust to 75 mph between 1259 and 159pm MST.
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 531 Nw Round Butte, MTMesonet station RDBM 1.1 NW Round Butte (AGRIMET).
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 616 N Whitefish, MTMesonet station BIGMS 6.3 N Whitefish (GNP).
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 62Creston, MTMesonet station CRSM Creston (AGRIMET).
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 706 Ne Williams Lake, IDStation E2T17 located near Sunflower Road down Hyde Creek Road. It also had a max wind of 67 mph at 850am MST.
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 765 Ese Baker, IDStation E2T15, located Sandy Creek Road. Had a sustained wind of 48 mph. Gusts to 53 mph at 130pm MST.
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 969 Ne Bigfork, MTMesonet station MAEMT Mount Aeneas.
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND GST 992 Sw East Missoula, MTThis station is located on top of Mt. Sentinel at 5,026 feet. It had a sustained wind speed of 76 mph at 0900MST from the west-northwest. Other gusts include 91 mph 0845MST, 90 mph 0915MST, 87 mph 0930MST, 84 mph 0945MST, 81 mph 1200MST.
Dec 17, 8:00 AM PSTNON-TSTM WND DMG3 S Finley Point, MTMT-35 was fully blocked by a fallen tree.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Boise Airport, ID (KBOI), launched 12:00Z, 5.4 hours before the alert went out and 391 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, Boise Airport, ID at 12:00Z on 2025-12-16Temperature 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, Boise Airport, ID at 12:00Z on 2025-12-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 90 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
1636 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
90 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
196 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

224 
WWUS75 KMSO 161726
NPWMSO

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Missoula MT
1026 AM MST Tue Dec 16 2025

IDZ005>008-171730-
/O.UPG.KMSO.HW.A.0003.251217T0600Z-251218T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0002.251217T0900Z-251217T2100Z/
Northern Clearwater Mountains-Southern Clearwater Mountains-
Orofino/Grangeville Region-Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region-
926 AM PST Tue Dec 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM PST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region, 
  Orofino/Grangeville Region, Southern Clearwater Mountains, and 
  Northern Clearwater Mountains.

* WHEN...From 1 AM to 1 PM PST Wednesday.

* 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...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and 
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution 
if you must drive.

&&

$$

IDZ009-010-171730-
/O.UPG.KMSO.HW.A.0003.251217T1200Z-251218T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0002.251217T0900Z-251217T2100Z/
Western Lemhi County-Eastern Lemhi County-
1026 AM MST Tue Dec 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 2 PM MST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Lemhi County and Western Lemhi County.

* WHEN...From 2 AM to 2 PM MST Wednesday.

* 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...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and 
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution 
if you must drive.

&&

$$

MTZ001-003-004-171730-
/O.UPG.KMSO.HW.A.0003.251217T1200Z-251218T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0002.251217T0900Z-251218T0000Z/
Kootenai/Cabinet Region-Flathead/Mission Valleys-Lower Clark Fork
Region-
1026 AM MST Tue Dec 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 5 PM MST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Flathead/Mission Valleys, Kootenai/Cabinet Region, and 
  Lower Clark Fork Region.

* WHEN...From 2 AM to 5 PM MST Wednesday.

* 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...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and 
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution 
if you must drive.

&&

$$

MTZ005-006-171730-
/O.UPG.KMSO.HW.A.0003.251217T1200Z-251218T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0002.251217T0900Z-251218T0000Z/
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys-Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains-
1026 AM MST Tue Dec 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 5 PM MST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph 
  expected. West to East canyons could have gusts greater than 80 
  mph from Florence to Corvallis and Charlos Heights to Conner.

* WHERE...Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains and Missoula/Bitterroot 
  Valleys.

* WHEN...From 2 AM to 5 PM MST Wednesday.

* 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...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and 
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution 
if you must drive.

&&

$$

MTZ007-043-171730-
/O.UPG.KMSO.HW.A.0003.251217T1200Z-251218T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMSO.HW.W.0002.251217T0900Z-251218T0300Z/
Butte/Blackfoot Region-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region-
1026 AM MST Tue Dec 16 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 PM MST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected. 
  Gusts greater than 80 mph could be experienced from Garrison 
  Junction to MacDonald Pass and Deer Lodge to Anaconda.

* WHERE...Butte/Blackfoot Region and Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

* WHEN...From 2 AM to 8 PM MST Wednesday.

* 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...

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and 
avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution 
if you must drive.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 16, 10:47 AM PSTWinter Storm WatchMSOIdaho25 hr
Dec 16, 1:57 AM PSTWinter Storm WarningMSOFlathead, Lake40 hr

Nearby

High Wind Warnings in Montana, 2025High Wind Warnings in Idaho, 2025Every high wind warning in 2025

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.