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.