High Wind in Blackfoot Region, Montana

High winds ahead of a strong cold front spread across western Montana during the morning hours of 11/18/03. Strongest wind recorded at the lower elevations was at Angel Point on Flathead Lake, with sustained southwest winds of 42 MPH gusting to 59 MPH. Over the mountain passes, McDonald Pass recorded sustained southwest winds of 50 MPH gusting to 61 MPH, and at Logan Pass wind gusts to 74 MPH. Montana Dept. of Transportation reported high winds around the southwest side Flathead Lake and over the higher elevations in the Butte/Pintlar Region. Northwest Montana lost power in many locations from downed trees onto power lines. Wind damaged a marina at Big Arm, and some carports in Ronan. In Polson, an 80-year-old Douglas fire tree was uprooted and toppled over.