A tight east-west surface pressure gradient resulted in some high wind gusts across the Big Timber area.
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.
A tight east-west surface pressure gradient resulted in some high wind gusts across the Big Timber area.
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 Feb 25, 12:55 PM MST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
1255 PM MST Tue Feb 25 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Gusty winds diminish this evening.
- Snow showers will continue through tonight over the
Beartooth/Absaroka and Crazy Mountains.
- The prolonged warm spell will likely produce significant
snowmelt onto frozen ground. This may result in significant
ponding of water, the potential for overland flooding, and ice
jam development/release on creeks and streams this week. For
more information, check the posted Hydrologic Outlook.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today through Thursday night...
Winds will remain gusty through around 5 to 6 pm then diminish
pretty quickly this evening. Any residual showers will also
diminish over the lower elevations. An additional piece of upper
level energy will dive south through western Montana tonight,
keeping snow shower chances in place for the western mountains and
valleys. Snow accumulations will be light in the mountains and
amount to a dusting to half an inch for the valleys, where it does
snow.
Northwest flow with building heights aloft will keep temperatures
near seasonal levels and bring dry condtions to the forecast
area. Wind guidance has been trending weaker for Wednesday into
Wednesday night with this pattern, so a break in the strong winds
looks on tap for the western foothills.
Ridge flattens out as a clipper disturbance passes to the
northeast of the area. This backs the flow aloft to the west and
increases the downslope warming and drying over the region. Latest
wind guidance for Thursday shows about a 30 to 40 percent chance
for reaching 50 mph from Livingston to Big Timber and Harlowton.
Further east winds in the 25 to 35 mph range seem reasonable
during peak mixing. High temperatures Thursday afternoon will be
in the 50s.
Hydrology...Minor Ice Jam flooding is ongoing in the Miles City
area along the Tongue river. Also have reports of water covering
rural roads in spots in Sheridan county from overland water flow.
Both of these hydrology processes are likely ongoing in other
portions of the forecast area due to snowmelt running off of
frozen ground. Lates ground temperature here at the office shows
frozen ground down to about 8 inches, with some thawing in the near
surface layer. Until the ground thaws, or the snow is melted out
the potential for overland flooding will continue. Ice Jam
flooding potential will linger a bit longer as the melt water
works downstream. Stay alert for rising water and report any
flooding to local law enforcement. Chambers
Friday through Tuesday...
Warm and dry trend will continue as ridging builds over the
region through the weekend. Highs in the 40s and 50s can be
expected Friday through the weekend. As the warmer weather
continues, be mindful of snow continuing to melt and possible ice
jams creating localized flooding. Take the precautions necessary
now, especially if you have interests along the waterways. Sunday
into Monday, a low will move through the four corners region, but
will have little impact. After that, ensembles are in
disagreement of the placement and timing of the next potential
Pacific low. Ensembles do have moisture getting into the area, but
there's still uncertain in amounts. With slightly cooler air
returning, this could also be a rain/snow mix type of event, but
that will have to be determined as the time approaches. High
temperatures Monday and Tuesday will be in the 30s and 40s. TS
&&
.AVIATION...
Conditions will remain breezy across the region this afternoon
with W/NW wind gusts of 30 to 40 kts, with gusts of 40 to 50 kts
for areas along the western foothills (KLVM, K6S0, K3HT). Winds
will diminish into this evening, with gusts of 20-30 kts through
the morning along the western foothills. Snow showers will remain
over the mountains, likely causing mountain obscurations. VFR will
carry through the forecast period. TS
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...
Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
-----------------------------------------------------------
BIL 031/045 031/052 032/055 030/054 031/057 033/044 030/039
00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 14/O 54/S
LVM 029/042 028/051 030/052 029/052 030/053 030/040 025/036
20/N 00/N 00/U 00/U 01/B 25/O 54/S
HDN 028/047 024/056 028/055 026/056 027/057 030/045 027/041
10/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 14/O 55/S
MLS 029/045 028/053 033/051 026/051 028/055 030/043 027/037
00/U 00/U 00/B 00/U 00/U 01/E 32/S
4BQ 031/047 029/057 034/053 028/054 030/058 033/045 028/038
00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 02/R 43/S
BHK 026/043 025/050 030/046 021/047 025/052 027/043 022/035
00/N 00/U 00/B 00/U 00/U 01/B 32/S
SHR 024/044 023/057 029/053 026/055 027/057 029/043 023/036
10/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 14/O 65/S
&&
.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...High Wind Warning in effect until 8 PM MST this evening FOR
ZONES 63-141-172-228.
Wind Advisory in effect until 8 PM MST this evening FOR ZONES
65-66.
WY...None.
&&
weather.gov/billingsPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Billings MT
1012 AM MST Tue Feb 25 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Pray 45.35N 110.68W
02/25/2025 M66 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM86 Emigrant E.
0225 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 13 SW Washoe 45.03N 109.41W
02/25/2025 M65 MPH Carbon MT Mesonet
Mesonet station TT839 Quad Creek.
0835 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 N Limestone 45.58N 109.88W
02/25/2025 M61 MPH Sweet Grass MT Mesonet
Mesonet station DBYM8 Derby Mountain.
1100 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNW Cooke City 45.07N 109.96W
02/24/2025 M59 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station GNFCC Cooke City.
1030 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSE Washoe 45.07N 109.15W
02/24/2025 M54 MPH Carbon MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM98 Ruby Creek.
0430 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 WSW Molt 45.82N 109.09W
02/25/2025 M53 MPH Stillwater MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM20 8.4 S Halfbreed Lake
Wildlife (MT-MESO).
0152 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ENE Livingston 45.70N 110.43W
02/25/2025 M53 MPH Park MT ASOS
ASOS station KLVM Livingston.
0700 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 11 E Warren 45.04N 108.44W
02/25/2025 M52 MPH Carbon MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM43 10.9 N Cowley
(MT-MESO).
0825 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Harlowton 46.45N 109.80W
02/25/2025 M51 MPH Wheatland MT AWOS
AWOS station K1KM 2 ENE Harlowton.
0515 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Big Timber 45.80N 109.97W
02/25/2025 M51 MPH Sweet Grass MT AWOS
AWOS station K6S0 Big Timber.
0515 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Big Timber 45.80N 109.97W
02/25/2025 M51 MPH Sweet Grass MT AWOS
AWOS station K6S0 Big Timber.
0412 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 17 NE Wilsall 46.16N 110.38W
02/25/2025 M51 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station TT453 Crazy.
0607 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 ESE Chico 45.27N 110.54W
02/25/2025 M51 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station WCRM8 Wicked Creek.
0518 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 18 S Fort Smith 45.07N 107.89W
02/25/2025 M48 MPH Big Horn MT Mesonet
Mesonet station BHMM8 Bighorn Mountain.
0652 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 S Burgess Junction 44.65N 107.50W
02/25/2025 M47 MPH Sheridan WY Mesonet
Mesonet station WY52 8.2 S Burgess Junction
(WYDOT).
0915 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 NE Reed Point 45.80N 109.43W
02/25/2025 M47 MPH Stillwater MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM22 8.8 NE Reed Point
(MT-MESO).
0100 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Livingston 45.65N 110.60W
02/25/2025 M47 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTLWM 2.0 SW Livingston (MT
DOT).
1204 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Burgess Junction 44.79N 107.54W
02/25/2025 M46 MPH Sheridan WY Mesonet
Mesonet station BUJW4 Burgess.
0450 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Billings 45.80N 108.55W
02/25/2025 M46 MPH Yellowstone MT ASOS
ASOS station KBIL Billings.
0800 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 7 E Columbus 45.62N 109.10W
02/25/2025 M46 MPH Stillwater MT Mesonet
Mesonet station CW9321 Columbus.
0848 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 18 ENE Warren 45.13N 108.30W
02/25/2025 M46 MPH Carbon MT Mesonet
Mesonet station BRTM8 Wild Horse.
0915 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Aberdeen 45.03N 107.32W
02/25/2025 M46 MPH Big Horn MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTABR 2.5 SE Aberdeen (MT
DOT).
0521 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Lockwood 45.73N 108.40W
02/25/2025 M45 MPH Yellowstone MT Mesonet
Mesonet station SDAM8 Soda Springs.
0530 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 S Reed Point 45.61N 109.56W
02/25/2025 M45 MPH Stillwater MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM67 6.1 S Reed Point
(MT-MESO).
0822 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 W Fishtail 45.46N 109.57W
02/25/2025 M45 MPH Stillwater MT Mesonet
Mesonet station FSLM8 Fishtail.
0745 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 SSW Stacey 45.64N 106.94W
02/25/2025 M45 MPH Big Horn MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM91 Busby N.
0355 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Harlowton 46.45N 109.80W
02/25/2025 M44 MPH Wheatland MT AWOS
AWOS station K1KM 2 ENE Harlowton.
1015 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NNE Miner 45.28N 110.88W
02/24/2025 M44 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM85 Carbella N.
0445 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Pine Creek 45.53N 110.61W
02/25/2025 M44 MPH Park MT Mesonet
Mesonet station MTM84 Brisbin.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Winds gusted up to 66 mph across the Big Timber area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Montana in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, February 2025
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: 1237142.