With lower pressure toward the northeast and higher pressure toward the southwest, persistent surface winds from the west and northwest spread across the region. Atmospheric conditions were favorable to allow some higher gusts from aloft to reach the surface, especially through Sioux Pass in Richland County on the 1st. These similar conditions were even more favorable for stronger and more widespread high winds on the 2nd, when fire weather conditions were ripe.

Wildfire in GARFIELD, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 12:00:00 to 10-SEP-20 08:38:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The Huff fire began on September 2nd on private land and was quickly spread toward the southeast by sustained winds of 45 mph and wind gusts up to 61 mph, narrowly missing the town of Jordan and crossing over Highway 200.  The fire was not completely contained until the morning of September 10th.

High Wind in RICHLAND, MONTANA
From 01-SEP-20 12:20:00 to 01-SEP-20 12:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At the Sioux Pass MT-16 DOT site (MTSOO), a 59 mph wind gust was recorded.

High Wind in GARFIELD, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 14:16:00 to 02-SEP-20 14:16:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

At the Jordan airport ASOS site (KJDN), a 61 mph wind gust was recorded.

High Wind in LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 10:45:00 to 02-SEP-20 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At the Malta South US-191 DOT site (MTMAL), sustained winds of at least 40 mph were recorded at least every hour for 6 hours through the mid day and afternoon.  The peak wind gusts of 61 mph were recorded from 11:30 MST to 11:38 MST.

High Wind in MCCONE, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 13:50:00 to 02-SEP-20 14:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

For about 2 hours at the Fort Peck Dam handar site (GGWFP), sustained winds of at least 40 mph and peak wind gusts of 61 mph were recorded.

High Wind in WIBAUX, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 15:24:00 to 02-SEP-20 16:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe wind gusts lasted for a little more than one hour during the late afternoon, at the Beaver Hill I-94 DOT site (MTBVR). The peak wind gust of 71 mph was recorded at 15:55 MST.

High Wind in CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 12:40:00 to 02-SEP-20 15:44:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

From Saint Marie to Glasgow to Fort Peck Lake over the course of about three hours, sustained wind speeds of 40 mph or greater were common with occasional wind gusts of 58 mph or greater.  The peak wind gust of 66 mph was recorded at 14:44 MST at the King Coulee RAWS site (KIGM8).

High Wind in DAWSON, MONTANA
From 02-SEP-20 15:22:00 to 02-SEP-20 15:23:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At the Lindsay Divide MT-200 DOT site (MTLND), 59 mph wind gusts were recorded for these two minutes.