Montana, 2010

Damaging Winds in Montana, July 22, 2010

July 22, 2010 · NWS MSO · 5 events in 2 counties and zones

An upper level disturbance moved south out of British Columbia to produce a favorable environment for thunderstorms and and strong winds across northwest Montana. Numerous powerline and trees were blown down due to strong thunderstorm winds up to 65 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

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  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$26,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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 happened

The episode as NWS MSO wrote it up.

An upper level disturbance moved south out of British Columbia to produce a favorable environment for thunderstorms and and strong winds across northwest Montana. Numerous powerline and trees were blown down due to strong thunderstorm winds up to 65 mph.

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 145 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Funnel Cloud, Flathead

When
July 22, 5:25 PM MST to 5:30 PM MST
Where
Flathead County, 9.27 mi NNW of Batavia
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
48.300, -114.470

A trained spotter in the West Valley area reported seeing a funnel cloud near Whitefish.

Thunderstorm Wind, Flathead

When
July 22, 6:05 PM MST to 6:10 PM MST
Where
Flathead County, Columbia Falls
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
48.370, -114.180

A trained spotter estimated wind gusts up to 65 mph with trees blown down on to roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Flathead

When
July 22, 6:05 PM MST to 6:10 PM MST
Where
Flathead County, 1.66 mi NNW of Kalispell
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
48.220, -114.340

A trained spotter reported a 12 inch diameter tree blown down onto the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When
July 22, 6:15 PM MST to 6:20 PM MST
Where
Lake County, 5.88 mi NW of Elmo
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
47.890, -114.440

The public reported four trees blown down from thunderstorm winds at Lake Mary Ronan State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When
July 22, 6:45 PM MST to 6:50 PM MST
Where
Lake County, 9.17 mi SW of Swan Lake
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$6,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
47.820, -113.980

The Lake County Emergency Manager reported trees blown down on Highway 35 near Blue Bay along Flathead Lake.

What these are

Funnel Cloud
A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, July 2010

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 252758, 252754, 252757, 252756, 252755.