Montana, 2002High Wind in Montana, January 23 to 25, 2002
January 23 to 25, 2002 · NWS TFX · 12 events in 12 counties and zones
12 high wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 12
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 Jan 23, 3:00 PM MST, 3 hours earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 23, 3:00 PM MST, 3 hours before
SOUTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
300 PM MST WED JAN 23 2002
.SHORT TERM...ANTICYCLONIC NW FLOW ALOFT IS FORECAST TO GRADUALLY
BACK THEREAFTER AND BECOME SW ON FRI. FLOW CONTINUES TO GRADUALLY
BACK FRI NIGHT AND SAT AS UPPER TROUGH DEVELOPS OFF THE W COAST. AT
THE SURFACE DOWNSLOPE PRESSURE GRADIENTS WILL BECOME STRONG TONIGHT
AND CONTINUE THAT WAY THROUGH THU. GRADIENTS MAY DECREASE SOME THU
NIGHT. THEREAFTER BIG DIFFERENCES EXIST IN SURFACE PATTERNS BETWEEN
THE ETA AND AVN. AVN BRINGS ARCTIC FRONT INTO THE NRN ZONES ON FRI
WHILE THE ETA KEEPS IT IN CAN. DIFFERENCES CONTINUE FRI NIGHT AND
SAT. HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH THE ETA SOLUTION FOR NOW AND WILL KEEP
TEMPERATURES MILD IN THE N ON FRI. AS FOR WEATHER...IN THE SW
VALLEYS WILL KEEP THINGS DRY THROUGH FRI NIGHT. ON SAT ETA
DEVELOPS WEAK E/W SURFACE TROUGH OVER THE AREA AND UPPER JET MAY BE
OVER THE AREA. WILL GO WITH CHANCE POPS. OVER THE PLAINS WILL
CONTINUE WITH HIGHLIGHTS AS IS. WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SURFACE FRONT OR
BETTER SHORTWAVE OR UPPER JET STREAK TO HAVE CONFIDENCE ENOUGH TO
CHANGE THE HIGH WIND WATCH TO A WARNING FARTHER E OVER THE PLAINS FOR
THU/THU NIGHT. ALSO IN THIS AREA SOUNDINGS ARE NOT PARTICULARLY
FAVORABLE FOR HIGH WINDS. LOCAL APPLICATION PROGRAM ALSO IS NOT
FORECASTING HIGH WINDS. MOUNTAINS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT SHOULD
RECEIVE LOTS OF SNOW INTO FRIDAY BUT NOT SURE THAT HEAVY SNOW WILL
REACH DOWN TO PASS LEVEL NEAR 5000 FEET SO WILL NOT ISSUE ANY WINTER
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS. CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY EXISTS WITH FORECASTS
FRI INTO SAT DUE TO ETA/AVN SURFACE DIFFERENCES. COULD POSSIBLY BE A
LITTLE OVERUNNING OVER THE SRN PLAINS OF THE FORECAST AREA ON SAT
ACCORDING TO ETA SO WILL GO WITH 20 PCT POPS AT GTF AND LWT. BLANK
EXTENDED...MEDIUM RANGE MODELS FAIRLY INCONSISTENT THROUGH THE
EXTENDED PERIOD. MRF AND ECMWF CLOSE ON DAY 4 WITH A ZONAL FLOW
ACROSS THE AREA. BY DAY 5 MODELS DIVERGE WITH THE MRF BRINGING AN
UPPER TROF TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WHILE THE ECMWF KEEPS IT
FURTHER WEST. MRF DEVELOPS A SURFACE TROF ACROSS NORTHERN MONTNA.
BIG CHANGE OCCURS DAY 6 WITH THE MRF BRINGING A SHARP SURGE OF ARCTIC
AIR TO THE AREA. THICKNESS VALUES PLUMMET TO VERY LOW VALUES.
DOWNSLOPE GRADIENTS REDEVELOP BY DAY 7. GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF
THE MODELS WILL TREND TOWARD COOLER TEMPERATURES BY THE END OF THE
PERIOD BUT WILL HOLD OFF ON GOING VERY COLD.
.CCF NUMBERS
GTF NN 028/050 035/046 025 04000
EEJJE 035/012 025/008 024/005 015/905 020 01233233311
CTB NN 026/048 030/042 020 04000
EEJJE 025/010 021/002 018/000 012/908 015 11122122211
HLN NE 024/047 030/045 028 04111
NEJJE 037/012 027/008 022/000 017/902 017 11332222211
BZN EC 016/042 024/042 022 04111
CEJJE 036/008 025/004 020/000 018/905 020 11333222211
WEY EC 002/028 008/028 006 04221
CSESE 025/000 012/905 010/910 010/915 008 13544444433
DLN EC 012/040 022/040 022 04111
CJEJE 032/014 028/010 020/008 020/004 022 11343111111
HVR NN 015/048 024/044 018 04000
EEJJE 022/002 018/902 015/905 008/908 008 11122222233
LWT NN 020/048 030/046 025 04000
EEJJE 032/012 026/008 020/005 017/000 022 01233222211
.TFX...HIGH WIND WARNING THROUGH THURSDAY FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
FRONT AND ADJACENT PLAINS
HIGH WIND WATCH THURSDAY FOR NORTH-CENTRAL MONTANA
HIGH WIND WATCH THURSDAY NIGHT FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT
AND ADJACENT PLAINSHigh Wind, Eastern Teton
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Eastern Teton forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Southern Rocky Mountain Front
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Cascade
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Cascade forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Chouteau
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Chouteau forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Eastern Glacier
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Eastern Glacier forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Eastern Pondera
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Eastern Pondera forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Fergus
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Fergus forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Hill
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Hill forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Judith Basin
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Judith Basin forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Liberty
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Liberty forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, North Rocky Mountain Front
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
High Wind, Toole
- When
- January 23, 6:00 PM MST to January 25, 4:00 AM MST
- Where
- Toole forecast zone
- Measured
- 64 kt (74 mph)
- Reported by
- AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
A high wind event occurred over north central Montana beginning the evening of the 23rd over the Rocky Mountain front, and ending in the early morning hours on the 25th. Sustained winds of over 40 mph were common during the day on the 24th over this entire region. Wind gusts over 65 mph were common as well.A few locations near the Rocky Mountain front had local wind gusts in excess of 100 mph. Visibilities were reduced to near zero at times in many locations due to blowing dust over the plains and blowing snow over the Rocky Mountains.A semi was blown off the road around 1515 MST near Stanford. Near white out conditions, due to blowing snow and heavy snow falling, caused a 4 vehicle accident between Browning and East Glacier.Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred at: Sunburst, Dupuyer, Havre 30 NW, Great Falls, Chester, and Judith Gap. Some peak wind gusts from this event were: Choteau 10 NW 111 mph, with the city of Choteau 78 mph at 1350 MST: Cascade 5 S 74 mph at 1210 MST; East Glacier to Maria's Pass estimated 70 mph at 0300 MST; Cut Bank 64 mph at 1156 MST; and Browning 59 mph at 0825 MST.
- 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.
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Tennessee, January 23 to 24, 20021 death · 13 injured · $3.8 million · 52 kt wind · 51 events
- Tornado in Kentucky, January 23, 2002$1.0 million · F2 · 1 event
- Flash Flooding in Alabama, January 23, 2002$650,000 · 3 events
- Wildfire and High Wind in California, January 23 to 24, 20021 injured · $235,000 · 61 kt wind · 7 events
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Arkansas, January 23 to 24, 2002$150,000 · 85 kt wind · 4 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Oklahoma, January 23, 2002$100,000 · 61 kt wind · 7 events
- Flash Flooding in Mississippi, January 23 to 24, 2002$100,000 · 6 events
- Flooding in Missouri, January 23 to 24, 2002$46,000 · 4 events
- Flooding in Illinois, January 23 to 24, 2002$30,000 · 3 events
- Flash Flooding in Tennessee, January 23, 2002$25,000 · 2 events
- Damaging Wind in Missouri, January 23, 2002$20,000 · 55 kt wind · 1 event
- Flash Flooding in Tennessee, January 23, 200214 events
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: 5278569, 5278570, 5279679, 5279680, 5279772, 5279773, 5279884, 5279885, 5280002, 5280003, 5280103, 5280104.