High Wind Warning Issued for Rocky Mountain Front and Montana High Plains; Gusts Up to 100 MPH Expected
The National Weather Service has issued High Wind Warnings for the Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent plains, with dangerous wind gusts expected to reach 100 mph through Friday morning.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Great Falls, MT, has issued a series of High Wind Warnings for the Rocky Mountain Front and surrounding regions. This alert indicates a severe meteorological event with high certainty of impact.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions in Montana:
- East Glacier Park Region
- Northern High Plains
- Southern Rocky Mountain Front
- Southern High Plains
This includes the Rocky Mountain Front and its adjacent foothills and plains.
What You Should Do
Residents in the affected areas are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Travel could be dangerous, especially for high-profile or light-weight vehicles; those operating such vehicles should consider delaying travel. Residents should continue to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.
Expected Conditions
Two distinct periods of high winds are anticipated:
- First Warning Period: West winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph.
- Second Warning Period: West winds of 45 to 55 mph with gusts up to 90 mph.
In some areas, specifically along the immediate eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front, winds may gust over 100 mph at times. These conditions are likely to move loose debris, damage property, and cause power outages.
Timeline
The alert remains active through the following windows:
- The first High Wind Warning is in effect until 11 PM MST Wednesday.
- The second High Wind Warning is in effect from midnight Wednesday night to 11 AM MST Friday.
Source: NOAA Official Notice