Vigorous zonal flow aloft across and east of the Northern Rockies combined with a strengthening lee surface trough over the North-Central MT plains to create strong and gusty SW-W surface winds over the region. Numerous reports of peak gusts in the 58 to 80 mph range were received.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 02:23:00 to 19-DEC-16 02:23:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor 2 miles SE of Browning reported peak gust of 83 mph.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 02:15:00 to 19-DEC-16 02:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Dellwo mesonet station (13 miles W of Bynum) reported peak gust of 79 mph.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 04:43:00 to 19-DEC-16 04:43:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor near Bowmans Corner (17 miles SW of Simms) reported peak gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 03:47:00 to 19-DEC-16 03:47:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Cut Bank Airport ASOS reported peak gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 00:22:00 to 19-DEC-16 00:22:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported 67 mph peak gust 4 miles SSW of Power.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 04:24:00 to 19-DEC-16 04:24:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor reported peak gust of 60 mph 6 miles NNW of Sunburst.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 00:02:00 to 19-DEC-16 00:02:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station 12 miles WNW of Geraldine reported peak gust of 70 mph.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 17:28:00 to 19-DEC-16 17:28:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

NWS employee measured peak gust of 83 mph 3 miles south of Stanford.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 12:10:00 to 19-DEC-16 12:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor near Loma reported peak gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 17:15:00 to 19-DEC-16 17:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

NBar Ranch AWOS reported peak gust of 59 mph.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 10:44:00 to 19-DEC-16 10:44:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet near Chester reported 74 mph peak gust.

High Wind in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 01:19:00 to 19-DEC-16 01:19:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MT DOT sensor along US-12 in Deep Creek (13 miles WNW of Ringling) reported 60 mph peak gust.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 19-DEC-16 17:30:00 to 19-DEC-16 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Semi truck went off the road along I-15 near Cascade. Likely due to wind per NWS employee. Estimated gust of 50 knots (58 mph).