On January 13, 2021, a particularly strong wind event impacted the entire Billings Forecast Area with strong, damaging winds, not only along the foothills (where strong winds are common), but also across the lower elevations of south central and southeast Montana. These strong winds were associated with a cold frontal passage and lasted for several hours.
The arrival of a Pacific cold front on the 13th was followed by a period of subsidence and very strong winds across the lower elevations. Aloft, a strong northwesterly oriented jet stream was driving through the northern Rockies, resulting in strong winds at mountain top level. In addition, the cold front also produced light shower activity which enhanced the gustiness of the surface winds. The combination of all these ingredients resulted in the very strong winds. Westerly, wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph were common, and gusts exceeded 90 mph at some mountain sites.
In addition to the wind, intense drying occurred behind the front and resulted in the development and rapid spread of a few grass fires. The largest fire was in Musselshell County near North Delphia Road just east of Roundup. Musselshell County Department of Emergency Services reported the loss of three primary residences and several secondary structures.
The following wind gust records at local airports occurred:
The peak wind gusts at Billings (69 mph) and Miles City (75 mph) were each records for January. Sheridan (67 mph) reported its 4th highest January gust. The following day (January 14th) Miles City reported a peak gust of 66 mph, which ranks 2nd for January.
The following is a list of impacts that occurred during this high wind event:
-Many large trees blown down
-Many power lines downed resulting in power outages.
-Several semis blown over
-Frequent reports of near zero visibility in blowing dust, resulting in severe driving conditions
-Scattered minor property damage
-Several grass fires
-A United Airlines flight was diverted from Billings to Bozeman
-Montana Department of Transportation reported 35-40 incidents statewide and a high volume of calls (1000).

High Wind in PARADISE VALLEY, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:10:00 to 13-JAN-21 18:20:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted to 58 mph across the area.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 15:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted to 58 mph across the area.

High Wind in CARTER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 15:44:00 to 14-JAN-21 15:52:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind gusts 60 to 64 mph were reported across the area.

High Wind in POWDER RIVER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 15:27:00 to 13-JAN-21 18:27:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted up to 69 mph across the area.

High Wind in FALLON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 15:36:00 to 14-JAN-21 15:57:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted up to 70 mph across the area.

High Wind in CUSTER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:10:00 to 14-JAN-21 16:04:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted to 76 mph across the area.

High Wind in NORTHERN ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:19:00 to 13-JAN-21 19:19:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted to 76 mph across the area.

High Wind in RED LODGE FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 06:58:00 to 13-JAN-21 10:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted to 63 mph across the area. Two fires started from tree limbs on powerlines. In addition, a few irrigation pivots tipped.

High Wind in SOUTHWESTERN YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:15:00 to 13-JAN-21 17:21:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Winds gusted as high as 71 mph across the area.

High Wind in NORTHEASTERN YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:41:00 to 13-JAN-21 16:41:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted to 64 mph across the area.

High Wind in BIGHORN CANYON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 14:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tree limbs were broken. Tarp covers were blown off boats. There was also some damage to shingles and downspouts.

High Wind in SOUTHEASTERN CARBON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 11:13:00 to 13-JAN-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted to 63 mph across the area.

High Wind in SOUTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 14:18:00 to 13-JAN-21 19:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted 64 to 71 mph across the area.

High Wind in NORTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:25:00 to 13-JAN-21 18:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted 62 to 68 mph across the area.

High Wind in TREASURE, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:20:00 to 13-JAN-21 16:43:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winds gusted 58 to 73 mph across the area.

High Wind in MUSSELSHELL, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:15:00 to 13-JAN-21 17:40:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted as high as 67 mph across the area.

High Wind in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:15:00 to 13-JAN-21 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted up to 70 mph across the area.

High Wind in NORTHERN PARK COUNTY, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 13:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted up to 63 mph.

High Wind in NORTHERN STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 06:15:00 to 13-JAN-21 18:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winds gusted to 66 mph around Rapelje.

High Wind in BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-21 15:59:00 to 13-JAN-21 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 77.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winds gusted to 89 mph across portions of the foothills.

High Wind in LIVINGSTON AREA, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 08:31:00 to 13-JAN-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Winds gusted to 75 mph at the Livingston Airport.

High Wind in SOUTHERN WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:30:00 to 13-JAN-21 16:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 73.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winds gusted to 84 mph across the area. Semis were blown over and power outages were reported.

High Wind in MELVILLE FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 06:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted 60 to 66 mph across the area.

High Wind in NORTHERN SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 00:40:00 to 13-JAN-21 19:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Winds gusted to 58 mph across the area.

High Wind in JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 10:57:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:28:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds gusted 58 to 62 mph across the area. Several semis were blown over on Highway 191. In addition, power outages were reported from Judith Gap to Shawmut.

High Wind in NORTHERN CARBON, MONTANA
From 13-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 13-JAN-21 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Wind gusts of 60+ mph occurred across the area. An outbuilding in Joliet was destroyed. In addition, irrigation pivots were tipped.