Tight surface pressure gradients across northern Wyoming resulted in high wind gusts.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BYZ wrote it up.
Tight surface pressure gradients across northern Wyoming resulted in high wind gusts.
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 Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 7, 2:21 AM MST, 7 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
321 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022
.DISCUSSION...
Today through Sunday night...
A few things to keep an eye on over the next few days. The first
is gusty to locally strong wind gusts today. An area of 850-700mb
winds in the 30 to 50kt range (depending on model) push through
the area with jet support today. Downslope subsidence along with
deep mixing will allow these stronger winds to work to the
surface in many areas. At this point have widespread 35 to 45 mph
wind gusts in the forecast, with strongest winds around the noon
hour. Locally can't rule out a few gusts over 50 mph so those
driving high profile vehicles or attending outdoor activities
should be prepared for very windy conditions. The corridor of
strongest winds is in the area along and east of a Ryegate to
Columbus line east through Rosebud county between about 11am and
3pm. The deterministic GFS does have enough wind at 850mb to
support a few warned zones in this stronger area, but currently
its the only thing pointing toward a highlite. Will keep an eye on
this through the day.
Shifting to the mountains, snow is the second thing to keep an eye
on. One round of snow develops today through tonight as snow
levels drop to around 6500 feet this afternoon, and 5500 feet
tonight. Latest guidance supports 4 to 8 inches of snow during
this period, heaviest on the west/southwest slopes. This round of
snow will likely miss the Bighorn mountains. A second round of
snow develops for the western mountains/foothills on Sunday into
Monday as snow levels drop further, to around 4000 feet Sunday
night. This brings accumulating snow down into Red Lodge and
Livingston. Additional snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are
advertised from Sunday through Monday for the higher elevations of
the Beartooth/Absaroka and Crazy mountains, with 2 to 5 inches in
the Bighorns. Foothills locations are looking at a trace to 4
inches, with locally 6 inches above 5000 feet. Given ground
temperatures do not expect travel issues outside of visibility
restrictions at times. Roads should stay wet or slushy for the
most part, but will monitor the Metro model as we get later in the
forecast period to see if conditions change.
The final weather element to watch this weekend is lower elevation
precipitation. The latest NBM 48hr mean precipitation forecast
ending Monday afternoon is pointing to .25 to .50 inches of
precipitation widespread across the forecast area, mainly falling
Sunday through Monday. With the westerly winds forecast through
Sunday night this may be a bit high with some downslope drying
eating into what makes it to the ground. The 25th percentile
probably represents this lower tier best and is advertising more
in the .10 to .20 range. Precipitation will also be convective in
nature so amounts will not be uniform across the area.
For temperatures, expecting highs ranging from the upper 50s west
to the lower 70s east today, lows in the 30s to lower 40s
tonight, Highs Sunday will be in the 40s west with 50s elsewhere,
and Sunday night will be in the 30s and flirting with a freeze in
many locations. Chambers
Monday through Saturday...
Little in the way of changes to the extended forecast period, as
upper level trough brings unsettled conditions across the region
through the period. Temps will be generally below normal through
the period, but generally warming through the period. The
exception to temperatures looks to be around midweek, where temps
across central and eastern zones should climb above normal again,
as upper low digs south along the Pacific coast, allowing ridge to
build back into the area from the east.
Scattered to numerous showers(best over mountains) will continue
into Monday, with isolated thunderstorms. Meteograms continue to
see some spread in QPF, especially east of Billings. Breezy
conditions are also anticipated, based on meteograms, with gusts
around 30 mph in many locations.
Model clusters continue to indicate formation of a cut off low,
which digs along the Pacific coast Tuesday. This keeps south to
southwest flow aloft in place over the region. A shortwave ridge
traverses the area, bringing dry conditions across the west, while
an amplified ridge further east appears to retrogrades somewhat,
bringing much warmer temps to eastern zones through Wednesday.
Trough looks to move slowly eastward Wednesday night through
Friday, bringing plentiful Pacific moisture to the region,
especially southeast MT, where rain is expected to be heavier.
Timing of the system exiting the region is somewhat uncertain, but
generally agree ridging should build in over the weekend. Gilstad
&&
.AVIATION...
Gusty west to southwest winds will persist today, tapering off
overnight. Gusts around 40 knots are occuring at KLVM, with some
higher gusts possible, with gap support. Mountain snow is expected
through the day, with rain over lower elevations (isolated
thunder cannot be ruled out). Mountains obscurations are expected
through the TAF period. Localized MVFR conditions are possible
over lower elvations. Gilstad
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...
Tdy Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 064 039/055 036/054 034/061 042/065 046/061 042/062
2/W 37/T 64/T 11/B 12/W 55/T 33/W
LVM 057 033/046 028/047 027/053 032/058 038/057 037/055
6/T 58/T 75/T 21/B 23/T 44/T 34/W
HDN 068 038/058 035/056 032/065 042/070 046/063 041/065
2/W 26/T 64/T 11/U 21/B 55/T 33/W
MLS 071 040/059 039/055 036/066 046/070 050/064 045/065
2/W 13/W 65/T 10/U 31/B 55/T 43/W
4BQ 072 040/059 039/055 036/068 045/072 051/065 043/063
2/W 13/T 64/T 10/U 21/B 45/T 33/W
BHK 073 039/059 038/054 035/066 045/070 049/064 042/064
2/W 13/W 65/T 10/U 32/W 45/T 43/W
SHR 067 035/057 035/053 031/066 040/070 044/061 039/063
2/W 25/T 65/T 11/U 21/B 55/T 43/W
&&
.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
WY...None.
&&
weather.gov/billingsHazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Billings MT 754 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022 MTZ067-068-080945- Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains-Crazy Mountains- 754 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Montana. * WHAT...Periods of accumulating snow. * WHERE...Beartooth, Absaroka, and Crazy mountains. * WHEN...Today through Monday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...4 to 8 inches of snow is expected today and tonight, with an additional 5 to 10 inches for Sunday through Monday. * ADDITIONAL HAZARD CONCERNS...This heavy wet snow will make back country recreation activities and travel into the mountains difficult at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this potential hazardous weather. Additional graphics can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/billings && MTZ040-056-063>066-141-172-228-080945- Northern Park-Red Lodge Foothills-Judith Gap-Paradise Valley- Livingston Area-Beartooth Foothills-Northern Sweet Grass- Melville Foothills-Southern Wheatland- 754 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Montana and south central Montana. * WHAT...Gusty winds today then light snow accumulations Sunday into Monday. * WHERE...Western foothills. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect westerly winds to continue to gust 30 to 50 mph at times today. Winds should diminish this evening. Rain will turn to snow Sunday as colder air moves into the area. Expect light snow accumulations on grassy surfaces Sunday into Monday. * ADDITIONAL HAZARD CONCERNS...Roads are expected to remain mainly wet to slushy with this event. However locally slick conditions can't be ruled out, especially during the overnight into the early morning hours. Those planning travel Sunday into Monday should be prepared for changing conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this potential hazardous weather. Additional graphics can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/billings && MTZ171-WYZ198-080945- Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains-Northeast Bighorn Mountains- 754 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Montana and north central Wyoming. * WHAT...Windy conditions today. Accumulating snow expected Sunday into Monday. * WHERE...Bighorn and Pryor mountains. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting 30 to 50 mph are expected today, diminishing tonight. Snow is expected to develop Sunday and persist into Monday with up to 6 inches of accumulation. * ADDITIONAL HAZARD CONCERNS...Travel and outdoor recreation may be impacted by the strong winds and upcoming snowfall. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this potential hazardous weather. Additional graphics can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/billings && MTZ029>034-036-037-042-057-058-138-139-169-170-173-235-WYZ199- 080945- Musselshell-Treasure-Northern Rosebud-Custer-Fallon- Northern Stillwater-Powder River-Carter-Golden Valley- Northern Big Horn-Southern Rosebud-Southern Big Horn- Southeastern Carbon-Bighorn Canyon-Northern Carbon- Northeastern Yellowstone-Southwestern Yellowstone- Sheridan Foothills- 754 AM MDT Sat May 7 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Montana...south central Montana...southeast Montana and north central Wyoming. * WHAT...Strong Winds today with rainfall Sunday into Monday. * WHERE...South Central into Southeast Montana and North Central Wyoming. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Westerly winds of 30 to 45 mph with local gusts over 50 mph are forecast to be widespread today. These strong winds will impact travel for high profile vehicles and those towing trailers, as well as outdoor activities. Winds will diminish by this evening. * ADDITIONAL HAZARD CONCERNS...Precipitation amounts of a quarter to half an inch are forecast for Sunday into Monday. Expect wet travel conditions across the region. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this potential hazardous weather. Additional graphics can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/billings &&
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
644 AM MDT SAT MAY 07 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0202 AM TSTM WND GST 1 S ROSCOE 45.34N 109.49W
05/07/2022 M53.00 MPH CARBON MT DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
0207 AM TSTM WND GST 12 SE EMIGRANT 45.27N 110.54W
05/07/2022 M54.00 MPH PARK MT MESONET
&&
TRCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
815 AM MDT SAT MAY 07 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 AM HAIL LIVINGSTON 45.66N 110.56W
05/07/2022 E0.25 INCH PARK MT PUBLIC
&&
ARTHURPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
951 AM MDT SAT MAY 07 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0904 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 10 E MOLT 45.85N 108.73W
05/07/2022 M56.00 MPH YELLOWSTONE MT TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
ARTHURThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Winds were sustained at 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, May 2022
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: 1024146.