High Wind Watch: 60+ MPH for Eastern Montana Until Friday Morning
The entire state of Montana has been windy for days. But the eastern half of the state is getting a
double whammy of high winds AND Fire Weather Watches for several counties. Dangerous conditions exist until at least Thursday night.
HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT.
WHAT.West to northwest winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
WHERE.Portions of central, south central, and southeast Montana. Portions of north central Wyoming.
WHEN.From Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night.
IMPACTS.
Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
So, digging this Montana springtime? The highest elevations in southwest Montana could see up to 9 more snow (on top of what we've already received) by late Sunday night. The valleys won't see that kind of accumulation although an inch or less is expected.
Montana is being full-on Montana this week with up to 14 inches of snow possible by Friday afternoon in the higher elevations from Helena up to Glacier National Park. Lower valleys could see up to 5 inches of snow.
This week started out with shorts and tank tops but will close with colder temps and lots of mountain snow for a good chunk of north central Montana. There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect for a few Montana counties through Friday afternoon.
WHAT: A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for several Montana counties
SNOW: Heavy snow possible.
Total snow accumulations of 6 to 14 inches possible, except lower accumulations of 2 to 5 inches possible at lower elevations.
Southwest Montana isn t the only region to get wet on Monday afternoon. Yellowstone National Park is getting fresh snow and by Tuesday afternoon, 6 fresh inches of snow may fall.
There is currently a Special Weather Statement in effect for the Yellowstone National Park area and the Cody Foothills.
Snow is falling and will continue to do so through Monday night until Tuesday afternoon.
Use caution if you are travelling in the surrounding areas, as snow will probably accumulate and create slushy roads and sloppy driving conditions.
There is also a Winter Weather Advisory for several counties in south central Montana through Monday evening for snow.
THURSDAY: Red Flag/Fire Weather Warning for Montana
WHAT: Red Flag Warning for fire weather conditions
WHERE: (many counties are affected by Red Flag Warnings through at least Thursday evening) Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest, Eastern Glacier/Toole/Central/Eastern Pondera/Liberty, Hill and Blaine Counties, Lewis and Clark National Forest Rocky Mountain District-Rocky Mountain Front, Chouteau and Fergus Counties and Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas.
WIND: across much of Montana, winds will continue between 15 mph and 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph through Thursday evening.
Although mountains are still retaining some snowpack, the surrounding areas are prone to wildfires. Dry grasslands are of large concern with this warning.