National Weather ServiceMontanaHigh Wind WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Watches in Montana
The National Weather Service issued 63 high wind watches for Montana in 2025 and 38 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 3rd most of any state. 2026 through September: 53, 147% above the average of 22 for those months in 2008-2025. Southern Rocky Mountain Front was covered most often (279 times since 2008).
How many high wind watches does Montana get?
Every high wind watch that covered part of Montana. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 53 |
| 2025 | 63 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2008 | 38 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Montana get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Montana?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Rocky Mountain Front | 279 | 45 | May 14, 2026 |
| Northern Rocky Mountain Front | 255 | 0 | September 7, 2022 |
| Eastern Glacier | 208 | 0 | September 7, 2022 |
| Toole | 135 | 0 | August 4, 2022 |
| Eastern Pondera | 130 | 0 | August 4, 2022 |
| Cascade | 119 | 0 | July 18, 2022 |
| Judith Basin | 118 | 0 | July 18, 2022 |
| Eastern Teton | 112 | 0 | July 18, 2022 |
| Liberty | 103 | 0 | August 4, 2022 |
| Southern Wheatland | 99 | 35 | May 14, 2026 |
| Northern Sweet Grass | 97 | 35 | May 14, 2026 |
| Southwest Phillips | 97 | 27 | May 13, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a high wind watch?
A high wind watch means winds reaching high wind warning values are possible. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Montana.