80 MPH Wind Gusts: Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front Through Tuesday
Several counties in Montana are under a High Wind Warning with gusts of 80 mph expected through Tuesday afternoon. This will create dangerous travel conditions.
So where is Montana's "Rocky Mountain Front"? Simply, to the west of Highways US 89 and 287. That's the easiest way to describe it's location.
If you will be driving anywhere north of Bozeman to the Montana border with Canada, you'll likely encounter some VERY gusty winds.
SNOW is likely for northwest Montana with accumulation of 1 to 3 inches in counties that will be affected by colder temperatures.
Use caution while traveling, especially with taller vehicles or vehicles that have roof boxes. Semi trucks will get pushed around in these conditions. Pass with care.
TOWNS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED: Cut Bank, Browning, Heart Butte, Choteau, Great Falls, Vaughn, Cascade, Helena. (Other towns may experience gusty winds too.)
According to the National Weather Service:
- HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MONDAY TO 4pm TUESDAY.
- WHAT...Southwest winds mostly 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected, but 40 to 50 mph winds with gusts of 70 to 80 mph are more likely on the Rocky Mountain Front and into eastern Glacier County.
- WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front, including all of Glacier County, Cascade, Central and Southern Lewis and Clark, and Judith Basin.
- WHEN...From Noon today to 4 PM Tuesday.
- IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
- The strongest winds will likely occur through Monday evening, and again late Tuesday morning into the afternoon.
- People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Anything that gets caught up in this wind will become a dangerous projectile.
WANT REAL TIME MONTANA WIND GUSTS SPEEDS? You can check this Montana map to get the most recently recorded wind gusts across the state.