Deep surface low pressure moving across southern Canada produced a tight surface gradient across North Central Montana which resulted in high winds. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were common. Many trees were downed by the winds as were power poles resulting in thousands of customers losing service.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 17:22:00 to 03-MAY-10 17:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A wind gust to 63 mph was reported at Basin 11SW (the Elk Park DOT site).

High Wind in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 13:15:00 to 03-MAY-10 13:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 59 mph was reported at Three Forks 1SW (the Three Forks AWOS site). A wind gust to 69 mph was also reported at Belgrade 1NE (the Bozeman ASOS site).

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 62 mph was reported at Devon 7NW. A gust to 61 mph was also reported at Sunburst 6NNW (the Sweetgrass DOT site).

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 16:22:00 to 03-MAY-10 17:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 42.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sustained winds of 49 mph were reported at Joplin 14NNW.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 15:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A wind gust to 63 mph was reported at Ledger 7ESE.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 04-MAY-10 06:18:00 to 04-MAY-10 06:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 60 mph was reported at Fort Belknap 12S (the Fort Belknap RAWS site).

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 09:30:00 to 03-MAY-10 09:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 62 mph was reported at Bynum 13W.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 19:50:00 to 03-MAY-10 19:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 58 mph was reported at Stanford 11NW (the Bravo RAWS site).

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 04-MAY-10 03:53:00 to 04-MAY-10 03:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 60 mph was reported at Roy 2SE (the Oscar RAWS site).

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 17:40:00 to 03-MAY-10 17:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A wind gust to 62 mph was reported at Dillon 5SE.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 09:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 58 mph was reported at the Heart Butte RAWS site.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 12:56:00 to 03-MAY-10 12:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind gust to 58 mph was reported at the Cut Bank ASOS site.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 16:38:00 to 03-MAY-10 16:38:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A wind gust to 62 mph was reported at Inverness 2E (the Inverness DOT site).

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 04-MAY-10 07:56:00 to 04-MAY-10 07:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 59 mph was reported at Great Falls 5SSW.

High Wind in MADISON, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 14:40:00 to 03-MAY-10 15:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 43.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Sustained winds of 50 mph were reported at McAllister 4NNE.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 14:37:00 to 03-MAY-10 14:37:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A wind gust to 60 mph was reported at Canyon Creek 7SE. A gust to 60 mph was also reported at Lincoln 3E. High winds toppled a semi-trailer on Interstate 15 near the South Helena Interchange. Many trees were also reported blown down in Helena.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 03-MAY-10 14:54:00 to 03-MAY-10 14:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust to 63 mph was reported at Townsend 9W (the Elkhorn RAWS site). A wind gust to 75 mph was also reported at Townsend 6NNW. The location is at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir where a number of trees were reported downed. Trees 8 to 10 inches in diameter and 25 to 35 feet tall were blown over. Winds also tore the roofs off of two buildings near Townsend.