Unsettled northwesterly flow aloft resided over North-Central Montana on March 26th into 27th. Within this flow, a shortwave trough moved southeastward over the region during late morning through early evening of the 27th. Along and ahead of this shortwave, a 50 to 60 knot 700 mb jet streak resulted in strong cross-barrier flow along the Rocky Mountain Front. This jet also extended eastward over much of North-Central Montana. The strong cross-barrier flow and associated enhanced mountain wave activity likely contributed to the high winds along the Rocky Mountain Front. In addition, several high wind gusts occurred along the plains of eastern Glacier County as well as Cascade, Chouteau, and Judith Basin Counties. In these areas, a combination of downslope flow and diurnal atmospheric mixing tapping into the 50 to 60 knot 700 mb jet streak likely contributed to the high wind gusts on the 27th.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 11:25:00 to 27-MAR-18 11:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Peak gust of 61 mph recorded at WFO Great Falls.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 11:48:00 to 27-MAR-18 11:48:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet recorded 59 mph peak gust 5-miles WSW of Sand Coulee.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 11:27:00 to 27-MAR-18 11:27:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Great Falls Airport ASOS recorded 58 mph peak gust.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 11:10:00 to 27-MAR-18 11:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Malmstrom Air Force Base AWOS recorded 59 mph peak gust.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 26-MAR-18 22:30:00 to 26-MAR-18 22:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported 77 mph peak gust in Babb.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 04:49:00 to 27-MAR-18 04:49:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported 66 mph wind gust 1-mile northeast of Choteau.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 12:10:00 to 27-MAR-18 12:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet recorded 72 mph peak gust 9-miles SSW of Fort Benton.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 14:58:00 to 27-MAR-18 14:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet recorded 63 mph peak gust 7-miles east of Geyser.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 10:14:00 to 27-MAR-18 10:14:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reported 62 mph peak gust 1-mile ESE of Great Falls.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 27-MAR-18 12:50:00 to 27-MAR-18 12:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Cut Bank Airport ASOS recorded 62 mph peak gust.