A strong storm system moved across Southern Canada. This combined with high pressure over the Great Basin resulted in high winds along the north slopes of the Beartooth Mountains. In addition, a powerful jet stream moved across the Billings Forecast area. The above factors combined with the passage of a strong cold front generated damaging winds across the area.
The gap favored wind areas, such as Judith Gap and Livingston, which are accustomed to strong winds of 60 to 75 mph occuring a couple times a year, experienced wind gusts to 85 mph. This resulted in power being knocked out to the town of Livingston. Winds over 100 mph were recorded at the Stillwater Mine near Nye. In Nye, local news reports quoted local residents indicating wind gusts in excess of 120 mph at times. Extensive damage was done to the area including tree and power pole damage, roofs blown off houses, barns destroyed, and car and home windows being blown out.
In addition to the direct wind damage caused by this event, wind driven fires possibly sparked by downed power lines engulfed large chunks of land during the evening of the 12th. The fire with the biggest impact was the Chi Chi Fire in Northern Sweet Grass County. The fire grew to 20,000 acres in a few hours on the evening of the 12th. Fire crews on the line reported frequent gusts to 80 mph occurring east of the Crazy Mountains. These gusts were responsible for the rapid spread of the fire which consumed several structures, a bridge, and one fire vehicle.