An upper wave combined with strong mid level zonal flow resulted in a period of strong winds across the North-central Montana plains. Given recently fallen snowfall along the Rocky Mountain Front, ground blizzard conditions occurred.

High Wind in GALLATIN AND MADISON COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 25-DEC-22 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-22 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station gnfhy 10.7 miles west of Emigrant measured a lone gust of 60 mph.

High Wind in FERGUS COUNTY BELOW 4500FT, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 21:45:00 to 24-DEC-22 21:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station MTM15 3.6 miles northwest of Coffee Creek measured a lone gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, WESTERN TOOLE, AND CENTRAL PONDERA, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 20:19:00 to 24-DEC-22 20:19:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An Ambient Sensor in northern Glacier County measured a gust of 85 mph.

High Wind in HILL COUNTY, MONTANA
From 25-DEC-22 01:00:00 to 25-DEC-22 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station EW1937 Goldstone measured a lone gust of 58 mph early Christmas morning.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA AND EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 25-DEC-22 02:35:00 to 25-DEC-22 02:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An Ambient Sensor measured a lone gust of 59 mph.

Blizzard in NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 23-DEC-22 20:26:00 to 23-DEC-22 20:26:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Blackfeet Nation issued a State of Emergency due to blizzard conditions. All BIA roads have been closed and shelters were opened for stranded travelers. Additionally, multiple sensors measured gusts in excess of 58 mph, including the Two Medicine Bridge (MTBRN) sensor and and the Browning DOT sensor (MTBWG).

Blizzard in EAST GLACIER PARK REGION, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 08:58:00 to 24-DEC-22 08:58:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Department of Transportation reported severe driving conditions with poor visibility and blowing snow on US Highway 89 near Kiowa roadway junction. Additionally, two mesonets measured gusts in excess of 58 mph, including the St Marys RAWS SRYM8 and an Ambient Weather Station 1 mile NNW of Babb.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 08:16:00 to 24-DEC-22 08:16:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Department of Transportation reported severe driving conditions on US Highway 89 due to reduced visibility and blowing snow. State highway 219 was closed through the weekend due to severe snow drifts. Additionally, multiple sensors measured gusts in excess of 58 mph, including AWOS station K1FM Foxtrot which measured a gust of 79 mph.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN COUNTY AND JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 21:10:00 to 24-DEC-22 21:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

An Ambient Station near Geyser measured a lone 70 mph gust.

High Wind in EASTERN TOOLE AND LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 24-DEC-22 22:58:00 to 25-DEC-22 00:38:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station GW0718 25 miles North-northwest of Joplin measured multiple gusts of 58 mph or greater.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN COUNTY AND JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 25-DEC-22 03:06:00 to 25-DEC-22 03:06:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS station K1CM Charlie measured a lone gust of 58 mph.