A potent upper-level storm system lifting into the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday tapped into strong-heating and steep lapse rates to kick off scattered strong to severe storms. Atmospheric profiles were favorable for intense thunderstorm downbursts which produced widespread severe wind gusts measured 70 to 85 mph. The strongest wind gusts of the event was measured at 94 mph at the Livingston, Montana.
Here's a satellite animation from Wednesday afternoon and evening showing the deepening area of low pressure lifting into the region with scattered storms developing and racing northeast across the region:
