Posted Friday, December 2, 2011 --- 7:20 a.m.

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Forecasters are predicting some relief today from what some call a once-in-a-decade wind event in Western states.

The powerful winds overturned semis on a Utah highway, cut electricity to hundreds of thousands of customers and produced a wind gust in Colorado that reached 123-mph.

The winds closed schools and prompted some communities to declare emergencies.

The storms were the result of a dramatic difference between a strong, high-pressure system and a cold, low-pressure system, which funneled winds down mountain canyons and slopes.

The blustery weather is expected to eventually hit Oklahoma, Missouri and Indiana.

The winds are fanning fires in northern California.

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.