The onset of a high impact wind event began on Tuesday January 13th, 2020, when a typical brand of strong winds descended over the normally wind prone Rocky Mountain Front and adjoining areas. Widespread anomalously strong winds then swept through much of Montana on the following day as a vigorous Pacific weather system and its associated 70 to 100 kt 700 mb jet max moved east through the Northern Rockies into the plains. A Pacific cold frontal passage helped transfer these winds to the surface and cold air advection on the sub-sident side of the trough maintained higher winds speeds for much of the day. Great Falls (76 mph), Helena (80 mph), and Havre (78 mph) all set wind wind speed records for the month of January. The winds were not only abnormally strong but they persisted longer than what is normally experienced, with some locations seeing frequent severe wind gusts for six hours or more. The impacts were felt throughout North-central and Southwest Montana and included, road closures due to areas of dense blowing dust, semi trailer roll overs, power outages, property damage, and even a few grass fires.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:59:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT station MTSBN (8 SSW Wolf Creek) measured a 62 kt (71 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:53:00 to 13-JAN-21 13:53:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Helena Airport measured a 70 kt (80 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:39:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:39:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Dillon Airport measured a 58 kt (67 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BEAVERHEAD, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:40:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Big Hole Pass station measured a 53 kt (61 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:54:00 to 13-JAN-21 11:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

May station (10 N Joplin) measured a 67 kt (77 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:15:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station DW4821 Chester (14 NNW Joplin) measured a 70 kt (80 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:18:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station FBLM8 (13 S Fort Belknap) measured a 62 kt (71 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:20:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter at 10 S Chinook measured a 60 kt (69 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in MADISON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 08:42:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:42:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Norris Hill station measured a 56 kt (65 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in MADISON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 08:04:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:04:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Pony station measured a 56 kt (65 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:54:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station at 1 SSW Minton measured a 52 kt (60 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:03:00 to 13-JAN-21 13:03:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: RAWS

Ginger RAWS station (3 WNW Townsend) measured a 63 kt (72 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:55:00 to 13-JAN-21 13:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

White Sulphur Springs station K7S6 measured a 68 kt (78 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:24:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:24:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Checkerboard station measured a 59 kt (68 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 04:49:00 to 13-JAN-21 04:49:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station at 4 SSE Ulm measured a 65 kt (75 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 09:34:00 to 13-JAN-21 09:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station at 5 SSE Stockett measured a 72 kt (83 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 09:34:00 to 13-JAN-21 09:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

West Butte station (16 WNW Whitlash) measured a 62 kt (71 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:19:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:19:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Big Rock station (1 SSW Shelby) measured a 59 kt (68 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:52:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:52:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

Great Falls Airport measured a 66 kt (76 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 07:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 07:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station MTM02 (8 ESE Fort Benton) measured a 55 kt (63 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:13:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:13:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Loma station (1 N Loma) measured a 57 kt (66 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:48:00 to 13-JAN-21 13:48:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Denton station (5 ESE Denton) measured a 65 kt (75 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 15:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 82.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter at 2 WSW Moore measured a 82 kt (94 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:56:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Bozeman Airport KBZN measured a 52 kt (60 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:06:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:06:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Pendroy station (2 NW Pendroy) measured a 64 kt (74 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 09:37:00 to 13-JAN-21 09:37:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Two Medicine Bridge station measured a 71 kt (82 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 09:41:00 to 13-JAN-21 09:41:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Browning station (2 SE Browning) measured a 65 kt (75 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:04:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:04:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Ranch BB station (12 SE Boulder) measured a 64 kt (74 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:31:00 to 13-JAN-21 11:31:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station EW5772 (10 S Cut Bank) measured a 62 kt (71 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 08:40:00 to 13-JAN-21 08:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Cut Bank Airport measured a 63 kt (72 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:56:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The Cut Bank airport measured a 65 kt (75 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-21 16:15:00 to 12-JAN-21 16:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Dellwo station (14 Bynum) measured a 63 kt (72 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:05:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station at 8 ENE Fairfield measured a 56 kt (65 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:45:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Dellwo station (14 W Bynum) measured a 65 kt (76 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

MTM05 station (6 NW Ledger) measured a 58 kt (67 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:20:00 to 13-JAN-21 11:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Inverness station measured a 68 kt (78 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:01:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:01:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Station EW1937 Goldstone (20 N Rudyard) measured a 70 kt (81 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in JEFFERSON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:07:00 to 13-JAN-21 11:07:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Elk Park Station (11 SW Basin) measured a 55 kt (63 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:06:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:06:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

MDT Geyser station measured a 68 kt (78 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:35:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 76.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Estimated non-thunderstorm wind gust of 76 kt (87 mph) reported at 2 E Utica.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:56:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

Station K1CM measured a 63 kt (72 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust.

High Wind in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:59:00 to 13-JAN-21 11:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Estimated 66 kt (76 mph) non-thunderstorm wind gust reported at 18 SW Augusta.