High Wind Warning Issued for Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains; 80 MPH Gusts and Whiteout Conditions Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains for Tuesday, warning of 80 mph gusts and dangerous whiteout conditions.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Billings, MT has issued a High Wind Warning for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. The alert is classified as a severe weather event with a high level of certainty.
Affected Areas
The primary area affected is the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. The National Weather Service specifically highlights that travel between Gardiner and Cooke City will be difficult to impossible at times during the warning period.
What You Should Do
Residents and visitors are urged to delay travel to Cooke City. Back country recreation is strongly discouraged due to the severity of the conditions. Do not venture into the back country until winds subside. Residents should also be prepared for potential tree damage caused by high wind speeds.
Expected Conditions
Southwest wind gusts are expected to reach up to 80 mph. The combination of these strong winds and snow will create significant blowing snow and frequent whiteout conditions. Additionally, the National Weather Service warns that avalanche danger will increase as a result of these weather patterns.
Timeline
The High Wind Warning is effective starting at 5:00 AM MST on Tuesday, February 17. The warning and the expected hazardous conditions are scheduled to continue until 8:00 PM MST Tuesday evening.
Source: NOAA Official Notice