High Wind in Montana, December 26 to 27, 2016

Name: High Wind in Montana, December 26 to 27, 2016
Start: 2016-12-26T04:55
End: 2016-12-27T13:00
Location: Montana

December 26 to 27, 2016 · NWS TFX · 15 events in 9 counties and zones

An approaching shortwave trough embedded within strong zonal flow aloft across the Northern Rockies and a sharp lee surface trough over North-Central and Southwest MT set the stage for high winds on Monday, December 26th into Tuesday, December 27th.

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 TFX wrote it up.

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 Dec 26, 3:18 AM MST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 26, 3:18 AM MST, 1 hour 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
318 AM MST Mon Dec 26 2016

.DISCUSSION...

Today through Wednesday...Large upper level low starting to
further exit into the plains...and losing a bit of steam as it
does so. Most of the area will experience dry conditions for this
morning...although cannot rule out an isolated to scattered
mountain snow shower across the west and south. This mornings low
temperatures have been all over the board as southerly winds from
a sfc high to our south brings us southerly flow...and high clouds
from the system to our east helps prevent temperatures from
dropping completely. Overall those in the clear and calm air will
see lows below zero...while those with any cloud cover or
southerly wind will see lows in the single digits to low teens.
For the rest of today we see flat ridging across the region and
generally dry conditions. Increased westerly flow will begin to
increase winds by this afternoon and continue into the evening
hours. Those that received fresh snowfall may see areas of blowing
and drifting snow at times this afternoon into the evening. The
amount of blowing snow is a bit uncertain as much of it was
blowing around during snow fall...winds on the border today...and
warming temps may help harden the snow. Given this uncertainty held
off on any Blowing Snow Advisories...however...it will need to be
monitored through the day...and those with travel plans should
proceed with caution. Increased moisture then finds its way into
our region by Tuesday morning...bringing areas of light snow to
the west and south. A clipper system could then slightly enhance
snow fall to these areas...and spread some light snow across the
plains on Tuesday. This system is similar to the one last
week...in that strong winds are expected to return to the region.
700 mb winds 50 to 60 knots look to come through on Tuesday. With
some uncertainty to how strong these winds can get at the
surface...issued a High Wind Watch for now. Anywhere in this watch
could also see blowing and drifting snow on Tuesday. These winds
combined with snowfall could also create some impacts to the west
and south...hence...then Winter Storm Watch for the time being.
Strong winds will diminish slightly Tuesday night...but may remain
breezy through Wednesday. Snow also looks to continue into
Wednesday morning...then be on a diminishing trend Wednesday
afternoon as a weak ridge enters the region. Light to moderate
snow accumulations are expected for the west and south...with
little elsewhere. Much like last week...these westerly winds will
bring warmer temperatures to the region. Highs in the 20s are
expected today...with 30s for Tuesday into Wednesday. Anglin

Wednesday Night through Monday...Forecast models are still in fairly
good agreement with the overall solution through Saturday with only
minor timing issues, but they start to diverge Sunday into Monday. A
weak high pressure ridge is forecast to move into the area Wednesday
night into Thursday, bringing drier conditions and warmer than
normal temperatures. However, west winds will increase Thursday into
Thursday night ahead of an approaching Canadian shortwave/cold front
system with an increasing chance of mountain snow. The passage of
this system Friday into Friday night will bring breezy northerly
winds, cooler temperatures, and a good chance of snow to most of the
area into Saturday. The GFS and CMC forecast models are in agreement
after this time with bringing another Canadian shortwave/cold front
system through the area on Sunday, for a colder and more unsettled
solution, while the ECMWF has a more mild and dry solution by
keeping a broad high pressure ridge in place over the area. Recent
trends seen among these models indicates that the GFS has a somewhat
better track record, so will follow the GFS/CMC solution for now.
This solution keeps a good chance for snow over the area Sunday into
Monday, with temperatures falling into the single digits above and
below zero for lows Sunday night and single digits and teens for
highs on Monday. Though exact snow amounts, wind speeds, and wind
chill temperatures are difficult to pin down this far out, there is
a potential for winter weather highlights late this week into the
weekend with these systems.  Coulston

&&

.AVIATION...Updated 0525Z

Snow will continue over the southwest for a few more hours early
this morning. MVFR/IFR conditions will improve in the KBZN/KEKS area
early Monday morning. Drier air will spread over the region
overnight as well. Winds will pick up most areas of the plains on
Monday producing some areas of drifting snow...and some blowing snow
along the Rocky Mountain Front. VFR conditions should prevail on
Monday. db

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  27  22  35  25 /   0  10  20  20
CTB  24  19  32  22 /   0  10  20  10
HLN  25  15  33  19 /  10  20  30  20
BZN  24  10  30  17 /  10  20  30  30
WEY  12   1  17   9 /  20  20  50  50
DLN  22  10  27  15 /  10  20  40  30
HVR  22  17  35  21 /   0  10  20  10
LWT  26  18  32  21 /  10  10  20  20

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening
Blaine...Cascade...Chouteau...Eastern Glacier...Eastern
Pondera...Eastern Teton...Fergus...Hill...Judith Basin...
Liberty...Meagher...Toole.

Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Wednesday morning
Beaverhead...Gallatin...Madison...Northern Rocky Mountain
Front...Southern Rocky Mountain Front.

High Wind Watch from this evening through Tuesday evening
Northern Rocky Mountain Front...Southern Rocky Mountain Front.

&&

weather.gov/greatfalls

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 25, 11:41 PM MST, 5 hours 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1141 PM MST SUN DEC 25 2016

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

0930 PM     SNOW             BOZEMAN                 45.68N 111.04W
12/25/2016  M4.3 INCH        GALLATIN           MT   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

JAA

Local storm report, Dec 25, 11:45 PM MST, 5 hours 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1145 PM MST SUN DEC 25 2016

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

0244 PM     SNOW             BABB                    48.86N 113.44W
12/25/2016  M1.5 INCH        GLACIER            MT   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT

&&

JAA

Local storm report, Dec 25, 11:47 PM MST, 5 hours 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1147 PM MST SUN DEC 25 2016

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

0846 PM     SNOW             WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS   46.55N 110.90W
12/25/2016  E1.5 INCH        MEAGHER            MT   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT

&&

JAA

Local storm report, Dec 25, 11:49 PM MST, 5 hours 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1149 PM MST SUN DEC 25 2016

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

0431 AM     SNOW             CUT BANK                48.63N 112.33W
12/25/2016  M7.2 INCH        GLACIER            MT   PUBLIC

            FACEBOOK REPORT

0700 AM     SNOW             MALMSTROM AFB           47.51N 111.18W
12/25/2016  M3.0 INCH        CASCADE            MT   OTHER FEDERAL

            3 INCHES OF SNOWFALL AT MALMSTROM AFB.

0700 AM     SNOW             10 SW DILLON            45.11N 112.78W
12/25/2016  M4.0 INCH        BEAVERHEAD         MT   PUBLIC

            4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW. STILL SNOWING.

0918 AM     SNOW             2 E GREAT FALLS         47.50N 111.25W
12/25/2016  M4.2 INCH        CASCADE            MT   NWS EMPLOYEE

            4.2 INCHES OF SNOW REPORTED 2 MILES EAST OF GREAT
            FALLS. STILL SNOWING LIGHTLY.

1047 AM     SNOW             11 SSE ULM              47.28N 111.43W
12/25/2016  M6.0 INCH        CASCADE            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOW ACCUMULATION AS OF 8 AM

1200 PM     SNOW             3 W DUPUYER             48.19N 112.56W
12/25/2016  E4.0 INCH        PONDERA            MT   PUBLIC

0100 PM     SNOW             BOZEMAN                 45.68N 111.04W
12/25/2016  E5.0 INCH        GALLATIN           MT   PUBLIC

            5 INCHES NEW SNOW. SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT. LOCATION
            ESTIMATED.

0100 PM     SNOW             2 NE BOZEMAN            45.70N 111.01W
12/25/2016  E3.5 INCH        GALLATIN           MT   PUBLIC

            3.5 INCHES NEW SNOW. SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT. LOCATION
            ESTIMATED.

0100 PM     SNOW             13 NW CRAIG             47.21N 112.16W
12/25/2016  E8.0 INCH        LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   PUBLIC

0244 PM     SNOW             BABB                    48.86N 113.44W
12/25/2016  M1.5 INCH        GLACIER            MT   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT

0250 PM     SNOW             CLANCY                  46.47N 111.99W
12/25/2016  E5.0 INCH        JEFFERSON          MT   PUBLIC

            5 INCHES NEW OVERNGHT. 12 INCHES SNOW DEPTH. SOCIAL
            MEDIA REPORT

0846 PM     SNOW             WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS   46.55N 110.90W
12/25/2016  E1.5 INCH        MEAGHER            MT   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT

0930 PM     SNOW             BOZEMAN                 45.68N 111.04W
12/25/2016  M4.3 INCH        GALLATIN           MT   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

JAA

Event by event

15 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, North Rocky Mountain Front

When: December 26, 4:55 AM MST
Where: North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter in Babb reported peak gust of 75 mph.

High Wind, North Rocky Mountain Front

When: December 26, 12:06 PM MST
Where: North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways

Two Medicine Bridge MT DOT weather station reported peak gust of 70 mph.

High Wind, Gallatin

When: December 26, 2:00 PM MST
Where: Gallatin forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Bridger Bowl-Slushman's Lift mesonet station reported peak gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Judith Basin

When: December 26, 11:50 PM MST
Where: Judith Basin forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Wunderground mesonet station 9.3 miles SW of Stanford reported peak gust of 63 mph.

High Wind, Cascade

When: December 27, 2:10 AM MST
Where: Cascade forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS

Great Falls Airport ASOS reported peak gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Cascade

When: December 27, 2:51 AM MST
Where: Cascade forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS

Malmstrom AFB AWOS reported peak gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Madison

When: December 27, 4:52 AM MST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways

Norris Hill MT DOT weather station reported gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Madison

When: December 27, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station 5 miles W of Big Sky reported peak gust of 65 mph.

High Wind, Madison

When: December 27, 6:03 AM MST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station near Ennis reported peak gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Chouteau

When: December 27, 6:40 AM MST
Where: Chouteau forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor 1 mile N of Loma reported peak gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, North Rocky Mountain Front

When: December 27, 7:00 AM MST
Where: North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported gust of 73 mph in Babb.

High Wind, Madison

When: December 27, 7:27 AM MST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways

Norris Hill MT DOT weather station reported peak gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Fergus

When: December 27, 7:52 AM MST
Where: Fergus forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Judith Peak mesonet station reported peak gust of 66 mph.

High Wind, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When: December 27, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station 13 miles W of Bynum reported peak gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Blaine

When: December 27, 1:00 PM MST
Where: Blaine forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter 10 miles S of Chinook reported peak gust of 60 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 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, December 2016

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: 664626, 664622, 664621, 664634, 664619, 664635, 664627, 664623, 664628, 664629, 664630, 664624, 664620, 664625, 664633.