High Wind Warning Issued for Central and South Central Montana Through Friday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Billings, MT has issued a High Wind Warning for portions of central and south central Montana. The warning is in effect from 2:00 AM MST on Wednesday, February 25, until 8:00 AM MST on Friday, February 27.

Affected Areas

The geographic scope of this alert includes the following regions in Montana:

• Northern Stillwater
• Golden Valley
• Judith Gap
• Northern Sweet Grass
• Melville Foothills
• Southern Wheatland

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas should take immediate precautions to prepare for damaging winds:

• Secure Outdoor Items: Fasten or move indoors any loose outdoor objects that could be blown away.
• Travel Caution: Driving will be difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution or consider postponing travel until the winds subside. If travel is necessary, consider taking alternate routes to avoid the strongest crosswinds.
• Prepare for Impacts: Be aware of the potential for property damage and hazardous road conditions.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect periods of strong west winds sustained between 40 and 50 mph. Wind gusts are projected to reach up to 70 mph. These conditions will create dangerous crosswinds, specifically impacting travel along US-12 and US-191. According to the National Weather Service, the strongest winds are expected to occur on Thursday.

Timeline

• Warning Begins: Wednesday, February 25 at 2:00 AM MST.
• Peak Conditions: Thursday, February 26.
• Warning Ends: Friday, February 27 at 8:00 AM MST.