A Pacific system brought strong 700 mb winds and helped develop a lee side trough, resulting in high winds across much of the region.  The strong winds initially developed over the Rocky Mountain Front on January 3rd but then spread over the plains and portions of southwest Montana.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 09:00:00 to 04-JAN-20 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reports a non thunderstorm wind gust of 62 kts at 1 NNE Cut Bank.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 18:51:00 to 04-JAN-20 18:51:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDOT station at 2 NW Pendroy reports a non thunderstorm wind gust of 51 kts.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 12:30:00 to 04-JAN-20 12:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station at 2 W Ledger reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 52 kts.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 14:59:00 to 04-JAN-20 14:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station at Kevin reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 54 kts.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 14:05:00 to 04-JAN-20 14:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station near Sieben reported a non thu8nderstrom wind gust of 54 kts.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 11:09:00 to 04-JAN-20 11:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

NWS Great Falls reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 56 kts.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 14:15:00 to 04-JAN-20 14:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station 3 SSW of Loma reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 56 kts.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 14:45:00 to 04-JAN-20 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station 6 WSW of Havre reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 56 kts.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 15:06:00 to 04-JAN-20 15:06:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDOT station at Geyser reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 50 kts.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 21:18:00 to 04-JAN-20 21:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station at 13 S Bynum reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 64 kts.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 16:38:00 to 04-JAN-20 16:38:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDOT station a 5 ESE Denton reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 51 kts.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 16:03:00 to 04-JAN-20 16:03:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station at 3 WNW of Townsend (Ginger) reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 51 kts.

High Wind in MADISON, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 14:30:00 to 04-JAN-20 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A station 3.5 SE of Virginia City reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 64 kts.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 17:08:00 to 04-JAN-20 17:08:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDOT station at 2 SE Browning reported a non thunderstorm wind gust of 55 kts.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 04-JAN-20 08:45:00 to 04-JAN-20 08:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Cut Bank Airport reports a non thunderstorm wind gust of 66 kts and a sustained wind of 48 kts from 745 to 845 am.