High Wind Warning Issued for Central and Southwest Montana with Gusts Up to 85 MPH

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Great Falls, MT, has issued a High Wind Warning for multiple regions across central, north central, and southwest Montana. This alert indicates that damaging wind conditions are likely, posing a significant threat to property and travel safety.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic scope, including:

• North Central/Central Montana: Eastern Toole and Liberty, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, Western and Central Chouteau County, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County, and Judith Gap.
• Mountainous Regions: Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass, Gates of the Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, and the Gallatin, Madison, and Centennial Mountains.
• Valleys and Basins: Helena Valley, Meagher County Valleys, Canyon Ferry Area, Missouri Headwaters, Madison River Valley, and Gallatin Valley.
• Southwest Montana: Northwest Beaverhead County, Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft, and the Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for sustained southwesterly winds ranging from 35 to 45 mph. Peak wind gusts are expected to reach:

• Southwest Montana: Up to 75 mph.
• The Plains: Up to 85 mph.

In addition to high winds, blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is scheduled to go into effect at midnight Wednesday night (March 12) and will remain active until 6:00 PM MDT Thursday (March 12).

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service advises that damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines, and power outages are possible. Travel will be very difficult to dangerous, particularly for high-profile or lightweight vehicles. Those traveling with such vehicles should consider delaying travel or finding an alternate route until the warning expires.