High Wind in Montana, May 3 to 4, 2010

Name: High Wind in Montana, May 3 to 4, 2010
Start: 2010-05-03T14:05
End: 2010-05-04T03:00
Location: Montana

May 3 to 4, 2010 · NWS MSO · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $54,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

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.

A deep and fairly cold fast moving trough from the Gulf of Alaska with an associated strong cold front moved through the region. The speed of the trough and surface pressure gradient orientation matched the composite map types for high wind events. A very strong 150 knot jet was associated with the trough and was digging into southern Idaho. Widespread wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph occurred throughout the region with areas of damage from tree blow downs, and power outages.

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 Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 3, 1:49 PM MST, 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 3, 1:49 PM MST, 16 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
249 PM MDT MON MAY 3 2010

.DISCUSSION...THE COLD FRONT THAT HAS BEEN WELL ADVERTISED OVER
THE LAST FEW DAYS HAS SLOWED A BIT DUE TO A DIGGING UPPER LEVEL
JET. THE SOUTHWEST- NORTHEAST ORIENTED COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY
MOVING INTO IDAHO AND NORTHWEST MONTANA. INSTABILITY SHOWERS ARE
FORMING ALONG THE FRONT AND WILL CAUSE BRIEF PERIODS OF MODERATE
TO HEAVY RAIN AND SNOW THROUGH LATE THIS AFTERNOON AS THE FRONT
PROPAGATES THROUGH THE REGION. THESE SHOWERS WILL ALSO HELP TO
DRIVE VERY STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS TO THE SURFACE. LOCATIONS TO
THE WEST OF THE FORECAST AREA HAVE SEEN WIND GUSTS OVER 50 MPH AND
GUSTS OF AT LEAST THIS STRONG ARE EXPECTED THROUGHOUT NORTH
CENTRAL IDAHO AND WESTERN MONTANA THROUGH THIS EVENING. DAMAGING
WINDS ARE STILL POSSIBLE WITH SHOWERS AND ALONG THE COLD FRONT SO
THE HIGH WIND WARNINGS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING.
WINDS WILL BEGIN TO DECREASE OVERNIGHT STARTING IN THE WEST AND
AND NORTHWEST... BUT GUSTY WINDS WILL REMAIN THROUGHOUT THE REGION
THROUGH TUESDAY.

TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...AN ACTIVE AND WINTER-LIKE PATTERN IS
ANTICIPATED TO AFFECT WESTERN MONTANA AND NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO DURING
THE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY PERIOD. IN FACT...NEAR RECORD LOW
AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS WESTERN MONTANA DURING
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. IN ADDITION...IMPACTS ARE EXPECTED FROM TWO
SEPARATE STORM SYSTEMS AS FOLLOWS...

FIRST: A CLOSED LOW PRESSURE CIRCULATION IS ANTICIPATED TO DEVELOP
ON THE EAST SIDE OF CONTINENTAL DIVIDE EARLY TUESDAY...QUICKLY
INTENSIFYING AND LIKELY BRINGING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SNOW TO
LOCATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF THE DIVIDE...INCLUDING THE HIGHWAY 2
CORRIDOR AND GLACIER PARK. PRELIMINARY SNOW TOTALS FOR TUESDAY
MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING RANGE FROM 4 TO 12
INCHES...HOWEVER WINTER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE DELAYED DUE TO
POTENTIAL CONFUSION WITH CURRENT HIGH WIND IMPACTS.

SECOND: ANOTHER CLOSED LOW PRESSURE CIRCULATION IS EXPECTED TO
DEVELOP AND INTENSIFY OVER SOUTHWEST MONTANA DURING WEDNESDAY
NIGHT...WITH SIGNIFICANT SNOW POSSIBLE FOR SOUTHWEST MONTANA AND
LEMHI COUNTY IN IDAHO. CONFIDENCE IN THIS IMPACT IS INCREASING AS
THE GFS AND ECMWF HAVE DEPICTED AND CONTINUE TO DEPICT SIMILAR STORM
EVOLUTION AND UPPER LEVEL FEATURES. PRELIMINARY SNOW TOTALS FOR
WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON RANGE FROM 3 TO 12
INCHES...INCLUDING MORE THAN 6 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE BUTTE AND
ANACONDA AREAS.

OTHERWISE...BREEZY...UNSEASONABLY COLD...AND PERSISTENTLY SHOWERY
CONDITIONS WILL BE PRESENT ACROSS THE NORTHERN ROCKIES TUESDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY.

FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND...A PROGRESSIVE WEST TO SOUTHWEST FLOW
IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO BRING WEAK DISTURBANCES THROUGH THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES DURING THIS TIME. THEREFORE SHOWERY CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WITH CONTINUED BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

&&

.AVIATION...A COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH NORTHWEST
MONTANA WITH PRESSURE STILL FALLING IN KGPI. SHOWERS ARE ALSO
FORMING UNDER A MOIST AND UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE WITH BRIEF HEAVY RAIN
POSSIBLE WITH STRONG... POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS THROUGH LATE THIS
EVENING. THE COLD FRONT WILL PASS THROUGH KMSO BETWEEN 03/22Z AND
04/00Z AND AROUND 04/00Z AT KBTM CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR VERY
STRONG WIND GUSTS OVER 45 KTS. THE ATMOSPHERE WILL REMAIN UNSTABLE
BEHIND THE FRONT WITH CONVECTIVE SHOWERS AND WINDS CONTINUING INTO
THE LATE EVENING. FORECAST SOUNDINGS INDICATING THAT STRONG UPPER
LEVEL WINDS WILL REMAIN AND WILL BE ABLE MIX TO THE SURFACE THROUGH
TUESDAY.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 4 AM MDT TUESDAY BUTTE/BLACKFOOT
     REGION...POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 4 AM MDT TUESDAY BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE
     MOUNTAINS.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING
     MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING KOOTENAI/CABINET
     REGION...LOWER CLARK FORK REGION.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FLATHEAD/MISSION
     VALLEYS.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 4 AM MDT TUESDAY WEST GLACIER REGION.

ID...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 4 AM MDT TUESDAY EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY...
     WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 3 AM PDT TUESDAY NORTHERN CLEARWATER
     MOUNTAINS...SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS.

     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING LOWER HELLS
     CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION...OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION.

&&

SHORT TERM...KITSMILLER
LONG TERM....ZUMPFE/PALLISTER
AVIATION...KITSMILLER

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 3, 10:57 AM MST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
1157 AM MDT MON MAY 03 2010

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

0900 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E ANACONDA            46.13N 112.88W
05/03/2010  M43 MPH          DEER LODGE         MT   UTILITY COMPANY

            A NORTHWEST ENERGY CONSTRUCTION SITE REPORTED MEASURED
            SUSTAINED WINDS OF 43 MPH.

&&

PALLISTE

Local storm report, May 3, 1:25 PM MST, 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
225 PM MDT MON MAY 03 2010

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

0900 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E ANACONDA            46.13N 112.88W
05/03/2010  M43.00 MPH       DEER LODGE         MT   UTILITY COMPANY

            A NORTHWEST ENERGY CONSTRUCTION SITE REPORTED MEASURED
            SUSTAINED WINDS OF 43 MPH.

0211 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 S DEER LODGE          46.38N 112.73W
05/03/2010  M50.00 MPH       POWELL             MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

WHITMORE

Local storm report, May 3, 1:45 PM MST, 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
245 PM MDT MON MAY 03 2010

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

0900 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 E ANACONDA            46.13N 112.88W
05/03/2010  M43.00 MPH       DEER LODGE         MT   UTILITY COMPANY

            A NORTHWEST ENERGY CONSTRUCTION SITE REPORTED MEASURED
            SUSTAINED WINDS OF 43 MPH.

0211 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 S DEER LODGE          46.38N 112.73W
05/03/2010  M50.00 MPH       POWELL             MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

0238 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST OROFINO                 46.48N 116.25W
05/03/2010  M52.00 MPH       CLEARWATER         ID   TRAINED SPOTTER

            12 INCH DIAMETER BRANCHES BROKEN OUT OF TREES, AND SOME
            TOPS OUT OF TREES.

0238 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST EUREKA                  48.88N 115.05W
05/03/2010  E50.00 MPH       LINCOLN            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NO DAMAGE NOTED

&&

WHITMORE

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: May 3, 2:05 PM MST to May 4, 3:00 AM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on a house and in the power lines in Butte. In Anaconda, a tree broke in half at Main and Front Streets. The fallen tree broke the top of a light pole and also blocked the street. In addition, a porch blew off a house in Anaconda sending broken glass on to Chestnut Street.

High Wind, West Glacier Region

When: May 3, 3:00 PM MST to 7:57 PM MST
Where: West Glacier Region forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.971, -114.069 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Logan Pass Visitor Center reported a wind gust to 99 mph. Glacier Park Dispatch in West Glacier reported several trees down, closing the bridge near the park entrance.

High Wind, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: May 3, 3:27 PM MST to May 4, 3:00 AM MST
Where: Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter in Seeley Lake measured wind gusts up to 71 mph. Numerous trees were reported down, some up to one foot in diameter. Trees were blown down on to the power lines.

High Wind, Flathead/Mission Valleys

When: May 3, 3:36 PM MST to 7:57 PM MST
Where: Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported power poles down along North Echo Lake Road, east of Bigfork. Numerous trees were downed, some up to one foot in diameter. A tree was blown over on to a house in Bigfork as well. Power lines were down all across Flathead County.

High Wind, Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains

When: May 3, 4:06 PM MST to May 4, 3:00 AM MST
Where: Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 46.508, -113.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Deer Mountain RAWS recorded a wind gust to 59 mph. Point 119 Weather Station reported a wind gust to 90 mph.

High Wind, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: May 3, 4:13 PM MST to 8:50 PM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A power pole was blown over on to a vehicle at Mullan Road and Grassland Drive in Missoula. A semi truck was overturned between mile markers 78 and 79 on Highway 93 south. Several power poles were snapped in that area as well.

High Wind, Kootenai/Cabinet Region

When: May 3, 6:55 PM MST to 7:57 PM MST
Where: Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 48.171, -114.863 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Marion RAWS reported a wind gust to 63 mph.

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

Every storm in Montana in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, May 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 230523, 230504, 230525, 230505, 230521, 230520, 230498.