A strong storm system moved across Southern Canada. This combined with high pressure over the Great Basin resulted in high winds along the north slopes of the Beartooth Mountains. In addition, a powerful jet stream moved across the Billings Forecast area. The above factors combined with the passage of a strong cold front generated damaging winds across the area.
The gap favored wind areas, such as Judith Gap and Livingston, which are accustomed to strong winds of 60 to 75 mph occuring a couple times a year, experienced wind gusts to 85 mph. This resulted in power being knocked out to the town of Livingston. Winds over 100 mph were recorded at the Stillwater Mine near Nye. In Nye, local news reports quoted local residents indicating wind gusts in excess of 120 mph at times. Extensive damage was done to the area including tree and power pole damage, roofs blown off houses, barns destroyed, and car and home windows being blown out.
In addition to the direct wind damage caused by this event, wind driven fires possibly sparked by downed power lines engulfed large chunks of land during the evening of the 12th. The fire with the biggest impact was the Chi Chi Fire in Northern Sweet Grass County. The fire grew to 20,000 acres in a few hours on the evening of the 12th. Fire crews on the line reported frequent gusts to 80 mph occurring east of the Crazy Mountains. These gusts were responsible for the rapid spread of the fire which consumed several structures, a bridge, and one fire vehicle.

High Wind in YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 13-NOV-07 04:59:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 38.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Billings Airport reported 44 mph sustained winds.

High Wind in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 13-NOV-07 01:40:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Little Snowy RAWS measured a 67 mph wind gust.

High Wind in BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 12-NOV-07 21:15:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A 50x100ft pole barn was disintigrated with debris scattered everywhere due to 100+ mph wind gusts along Fiddler Creek Road near Nye. Wind gusts were recorded at 100 mph at 957 pm at the Stillwater Mine.

High Wind in SOUTHERN WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 13-NOV-07 00:40:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Little Snowy RAWS measured a 67 mph wind gust. Weather Underground site near Harlowton Airport reported sustained winds of 47 mph at 329 am. Harlowton AWOS reported 40 mph sustained winds at 456 am.

High Wind in RED LODGE FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 13-NOV-07 00:15:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 94.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts of 98 mph and 108 mph were reported just west of Red Lodge. Power was knocked out as a result of power poles being blown down in the city of Red Lodge. Wind knocked down trees and blew out windows. The Roscoe Hill Department of Transportation observation site reported a wind gust to 62 mph at 1214 am. Timbercrest RAWS measured a 64 mph wind gust at 115 am.

High Wind in NORTHERN SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 12-NOV-07 19:00:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 74 mph wind gust was measured by the Derby Mountain RAWS site.
Winds gusted to 80 mph one mile west of Melville at 955 pm.

High Wind in SOUTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 12-NOV-07 17:05:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 76 mph wind gust was measured at the Yellowtail Dam. There were several reports of yard items being flipped. Beginning around 1015 pm, winds at Fort Smith were frequently gusting to 60 mph.

High Wind in LIVINGSTON AREA, MONTANA
From 12-NOV-07 14:47:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Power was knocked out in Livingston due to 75 mph wind gusts. Sustained winds greater of up to 56 mph were common across the area. The West Livingston I-90 Department of Transportation observation site reported a wind gust to 85 mph at 517 pm. Two semi trailers were overturned on I-90 near Livingston at 544 pm.

High Wind in JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 to 13-NOV-07 10:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 35.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sustained winds at Judith Gap reached 40 mph.

High Wind in EASTERN CARBON, MONTANA
From 12-NOV-07 15:40:00 to 13-NOV-07 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hillsboro RAWS site located 22 miles southwest of Fort Smith reported a 67 mph wind gust. Winds gusted between 58 mph and 67 mph between 340 am MST and 540 am MST.