Montana, 2002

High Wind in Montana, February 10 to 11, 2002

February 10 to 11, 2002 · NWS TFX · 13 events in 13 counties and zones

13 high wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
13

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Great Falls, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 10, 9:35 AM MST, 2 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 10, 9:35 AM MST, 2 hours 25 minutes before
SOUTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
935 AM MST SUN FEB 10 2002

.SHORT TERM...NO UPDATES PLANNED THIS MORNING. 12Z ETA CONTINUES
TREND OF PREVIOUS RUN. POSITIVE TILT UPPER RIDGE OVER THE CWA TODAY.
PROMINENT CHINOOK ARCH HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE AREA WHICH COULD THROW
A WRENCH IN TODAYS HIGH TEMPERATURE FORECAST. TEMPERATURE AT GREAT
FALLS AT 9AM IS 13 DEGREES WARMER THAN SAME TIME AS YESTERDAY
SO CURRENT AFTERNOON FORECAST HIGH NOT UNREASONABLE. STRONG WIND
STILL THE MAIN WEATHER CONCERN THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING. GUIDANCE NUMBERS AND MODEL DATA CONTINUE TO INDICATE HIGH
WIND POTENTIAL AND WILL LEAVE EXISTING WARNINGS IN PLACE. EMANUEL

.EXTENDED...4-7 DAY PERIOD CONTINUES TO LOOK MOSTLY DRY...WARM AND
WINDY. SPLIT TROUGH MOVES INTO WRN CONUS WEDNESDAY...WITH MOST OF
THE ENERGY DIVING SOUTH ALONG THE WEST COAST. W-NW FLOW ALOFT OVER
MT TRANSITIONS INTO A BROAD RIDGE BY FRIDAY. ON SATURDAY...MRF IS
MORE IN LINE WITH ECMWF BRINGING AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH INLAND OVER
THE PAC NW...FOR MORE SW FLOW ALOFT OVER STATE. CURRENT FORECAST HAS
A GOOD HANDLE ON THE OVERALL PATTERN...SO NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE.
MPJ

.CCF NUMBERS
GTF NN 052/033 040/018 042 14001
   BBNNB 018/046 023/048 030/049 030/048 030 00011111111
CTB NN 049/031 038/016 040 14010
   BBNNB 017/044 020/045 025/046 026/045 026 00011111111
HLN BN 040/025 038/014 038 14012
   BBNNB 008/040 017/042 018/042 025/046 025 00011111111
BZN BE 036/020 039/010 036 14002
   BBEBB 008/032 012/035 015/035 015/035 015 10011111111
WEY BE 024/000 026/908 026 14002
   BBEBB 000/028 002/028 008/030 008/030 008 10011111111
DLN BB 036/017 034/008 034 14012
   BBEBB 008/030 010/033 013/033 015/035 015 00011111111
HVR NN 049/033 040/016 041 14000
   BBNNB 013/044 022/049 020/049 026/048 026 00011111111
LWT NN 045/028 038/016 040 14001
   BBNNB 015/042 020/045 025/045 028/045 028 00011111111

.TFX...HIGH WIND WARNING THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR
       THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT AND ADJACENT PLAINS. HIGH WIND
       WARNING TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR CENTRAL AND NORTH
       CENTRAL MONTANA.

Event by event

13 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, North Rocky Mountain Front

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Eastern Glacier

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Eastern Glacier forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Hill

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Hill forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Cascade

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Cascade forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Toole

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Toole forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Liberty

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Liberty forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Eastern Pondera

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Eastern Pondera forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Chouteau

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Chouteau forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Eastern Teton

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Eastern Teton forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Judith Basin

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Judith Basin forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Fergus

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Fergus forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

High Wind, Southern Lewis and Clark

When
February 10, 12:00 PM MST to February 11, 10:00 AM MST
Where
Southern Lewis and Clark forecast zone
Measured
68 kt (78 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER

A high wind event occurred over all of North Central Montana on the 10th and 11th of February. The winds began to pick up in intensity over the Rocky Mountain Front late in the afternoon on February 10th. By late evening, high winds were reported across much of the region. The winds began to diminish in intensity during the morning hours on the 11th.During the peak of the wind event, visibilities were less than one mile in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains, and blowing snow in the mountain passes. Several power outages also occurred in Cascade and Lewis and Clark counties from the wind having knocked down power lines. Here is a list of some of the peak wind speeds recorded.On February 10th:Cut Bank 60 mph at 2233 MSTOn February 11th:13 West of Helena 58 mph at 0024 MST; Great Falls 72 mph at 0210 MST; 25 SE of Sweetgrass 65 mph at 0300 MST; Choteau 58 mph at 0330 MST; 68 to 78 mph gusts recorded across much of Fergus county between 0400 MST and 0700 MST; and Silver City 65 mph at 0625 MST.

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2002Every state in 2002This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, February 2002

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5282966, 5282967, 5282968, 5283039, 5283040, 5283041, 5283141, 5283142, 5283403, 5283404, 5283405, 5283509, 5283510.