The new year began with an Arctic Air mass over the region, powered by a 1028 mb surface high. Temperatures plunged below zero as northerly winds were just strong enough to produce dangerous wind chills down to 40 below zero along the Hi-Line. Milder westerly flow quickly replaced this air mass and brought strong gusty surface winds to much of north-central MT. Temperatures along the Rocky Mountain Front remained below freezing, resulting in widespread ground blizzard conditions over the East Glacier and Browning areas. The strong surface winds were mostly over the plains resulting from 50kt+ 700 mb westerly flow, but there was a brief period of strong southwesterly flow over the southwest that brought criteria magnitudes to Madison County. Another surge of Arctic air moved into the region again after the high winds subsided.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 02-JAN-22 00:30:00 to 02-JAN-22 00:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station at 17 N Joplin measured a 55 kt (63 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in MADISON, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-22 14:57:00 to 03-JAN-22 14:57:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Norris Hill station measured a 53 kt (61 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 13:59:00 to 01-JAN-22 13:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Two Medicine Bridge station measured a 68 kt (78 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 15:23:00 to 01-JAN-22 15:23:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

KCTB measured a 59 kt (68 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HILL, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 01:53:00 to 01-JAN-22 01:53:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: ASOS

KHVR records a -47F wind chill.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 05:15:00 to 01-JAN-22 05:15:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station at Sunburst records a -41F wind chill.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 02-JAN-22 00:15:00 to 02-JAN-22 00:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station at Cascade measured a 58 kt (67 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

Blizzard in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 17:53:00 to 02-JAN-22 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blackfeet Law Enforcement reports widespread ground blizzard conditions over the Browning and East Glacier areas.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 02-JAN-22 02:15:00 to 02-JAN-22 02:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station 10 S Loma measured a 56 kt (64 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 17:15:00 to 01-JAN-22 17:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet Dellwo station measured a 59 kt (68 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 11:25:00 to 01-JAN-22 11:25:00 (MST-7)
Reported by: AWOS

Chinook AWOS records a -39F wind chill.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 01-JAN-22 22:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 22:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet Oilmont station measured a 57 kt (66 mph) non-thunderstorm gust.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 02-JAN-22 05:02:00 to 02-JAN-22 05:02:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS KO1M measured a 54 kt (62 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.