Winds began to increase over North-Central and Southwestern Montana early on Sunday February 21 as a strong upper level jet roared overhead. Winds were generally strongest and most persistent across the plains during the day on Sunday, thanks to a strong pressure gradient that developed along the Rocky Mountain Front. After seeing widespread wind gusts over 60 mph, with isolated gusts in excess of 80 mph, during the day on Sunday, winds would generally begin to decrease late Sunday and early Monday closer to the Rocky Mountain Front, though winds around the Lewistown and Fort Belknap areas peaked early Monday morning, when some wind damage occurred in these areas. Winds area-wide would be a bit lighter during the day on Monday, but a final push of higher winds occurred late Monday night as a cold front pushed through the area.
In addition to causing some damage across the plains, the strong winds also combined with a fairly fresh snowpack, which resulted in areas of intense blowing snow, which caused blizzard conditions along the Rocky Mountain Front. Areas of blowing snow also occurred in the Lewistown area, which would result in the closure of highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap, but not before numerous traffic incidents had occurred.

High Wind in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 00:54:00 to 22-FEB-21 00:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sourdough mesonet reports 63 mph wind gust.

High Wind in GALLATIN, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 14:57:00 to 21-FEB-21 14:57:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtbzh bozeman pass (mt dot).

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 01:46:00 to 22-FEB-21 01:46:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 76.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

DOT sensor just east of East Glacier Park reports 87 mph wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 16:24:00 to 21-FEB-21 16:24:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Asos station kctb cut bank airport reports 81 MPH wind gust.

High Wind in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 15:09:00 to 21-FEB-21 15:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtbwg browning (mt dot) reports 73 MPH wind gust.

High Wind in EASTERN GLACIER, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 03:56:00 to 22-FEB-21 03:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Asos station kctb cut bank airport reports wind gust of 72 mph.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 04:00:00 to 22-FEB-21 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station ew1937 goldstone reports 79 mph wind gust.

High Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 20:55:00 to 21-FEB-21 20:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtinv inverness (mt dot) reports wind gust of 65 MPH.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 01:58:00 to 22-FEB-21 01:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Awos station k1bm bravo reports 69 MPH wind gust.

High Wind in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 05:58:00 to 22-FEB-21 05:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Awos station k1cm, Charlie reports wind gust of 68 MPH. In addition, a log cabin nearby, which was on top of a knoll, was destroyed during the morning hours of Monday, February 22nd. Peak wind gusts within the region occurred between 4 and 6 am and ranged from 68 to 69 mph. Structural integrity of the building is unknown, as are the exact cost of the damages.

Blizzard in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 12:30:00 to 21-FEB-21 15:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Montana DOT webcams showed very poor visibility, with local weather stations showing winds in excess of 35 mph near East Glacier. Conditions were likely much worse at higher elevations, such as Marias Pass, but there is no webcamera to confirm. Attached is a Twitter thread showing the conditions at East Glacier.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 14:54:00 to 21-FEB-21 14:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Elk Creek mesonet reports wind gust of 66 MPH.

Avalanche in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 03:44:00 to 22-FEB-21 03:44:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Goss mesonet reports wind gust of 63 MPH.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 23:58:00 to 21-FEB-21 23:58:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Awos station k1gm golf.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 04:35:00 to 22-FEB-21 04:35:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Jones mesonet reports wind gust of 67 MPH.

High Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 20:15:00 to 21-FEB-21 20:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public davis vantage weather station reports wind gust of 63 MPH.

High Wind in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 23:09:00 to 21-FEB-21 23:09:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Lennep mesonet reports wind gust of 70 MPH.

High Wind in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 01:34:00 to 22-FEB-21 01:34:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Ef smith mesonet records wind gust of 68 MPH.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 07:15:00 to 21-FEB-21 07:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtm73, ledger n mda reports wind gust of 63 MPH.

High Wind in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 13:30:00 to 21-FEB-21 13:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Francis heights rd mesonet reports wind gust of 59 MPH.

High Wind in SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 14:45:00 to 21-FEB-21 14:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station delmt dellwo (mcscn) reports wind gust of 85 MPH.

High Wind in EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 04:15:00 to 22-FEB-21 04:15:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Ostberg mesonet records wind gust of 58 MPH.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 08:18:00 to 22-FEB-21 08:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station fblm8 fort belknap raws.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 17:21:00 to 21-FEB-21 17:21:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtswt sweetgrass (mt dot) records wind gust of 70 MPH.

High Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 20:05:00 to 21-FEB-21 20:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station dw9605 galata reports wind gust of 60 MPH.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 17:00:00 to 21-FEB-21 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reports wind gust of 69 MPH. Snow is crusted over and not blowing around.

High Wind in BLAINE, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 22:18:00 to 21-FEB-21 22:18:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gust of 58 MPH measured at Fort Belknap Raws. Later, a gas station pump covering was damaged (blown off) and power outages occurred through night.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 23-FEB-21 03:54:00 to 23-FEB-21 03:54:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station ekhm8 elkhorn raws - 8 w townsend reports wind gust of 64 MPH.

High Wind in BROADWATER, MONTANA
From 23-FEB-21 02:03:00 to 23-FEB-21 02:03:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station ginm8 ginger raws reports wind gust of 59 MPH.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 00:44:00 to 22-FEB-21 00:44:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mckinney mesonet reports wind gust of 74 mph.

High Wind in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 11:30:00 to 21-FEB-21 11:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtm76, cascade e mda.

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 22:23:00 to 21-FEB-21 22:23:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station mtlom loma (mt dot).

High Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 22-FEB-21 04:55:00 to 22-FEB-21 04:55:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Rosenberg farm.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 22:56:00 to 21-FEB-21 22:56:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Delta AWOS reports 77 mph wind gust.

High Wind in FERGUS, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-21 21:59:00 to 21-FEB-21 21:59:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Awos station k1om oscar.