A strong storm system moved across the northern Great Lakes on April 16th and 17th with an associated occluded front that slowly moved east across New York into Vermont. Meanwhile, a very strong area of high pressure was located across New Brunswick.
The large pressure gradient (> 40mb) between both systems resulted in strong south to southeast winds in a return flow across the Green Mountains of Vermont that produced strong to damaging downslope winds along the western slopes during the late evening of April 16th into the early morning hours of April 17th.
There were numerous reports of trees downed by high winds, with wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, that resulted in nearly 10,000 customers without power from the foothills in eastern Rutland county north to eastern Franklin county along the Canadian border.

Strong Wind in ORANGE, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.

Strong Wind in ORLEANS, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.

High Wind in EASTERN CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A measured wind gust of 59 mph was observed at NWS employee house in Nashville. There were numerous reports of trees downed and thousands of customers without power.

Strong Wind in WINDSOR, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.

Strong Wind in WASHINGTON, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.

High Wind in EASTERN RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 19:00:00 to 16-APR-11 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A measured wind gusts of 51 mph occurred at Rutland airport in East Clarendon, where no damage occurred, but there were damage reports of trees down and power outages elsewhere with wind gusts estimated in excess of 58 mph.

High Wind in EASTERN ADDISON, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 20:00:00 to 17-APR-11 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Several reports of trees downed by high winds that resulted in power outages.

High Wind in EASTERN FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 23:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous reports of trees downed by high winds in eastern Franklin county, especially in the Bakersfield vicinity.

High Wind in LAMOILLE, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 23:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous reports of trees downed by high winds in Lamoille county, especially in the Cambridge/Jefferson vicinity with measured wind reports of 77 mph in Cambridge and 71 mph in Jeffersonville.

Strong Wind in CALEDONIA, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.

Strong Wind in ESSEX, VERMONT
From 16-APR-11 22:00:00 to 17-APR-11 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of trees down and scattered power outages along elevated hillsides within the county.