A Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service in Great Falls is in effect through 6 p.m. Sunday, June 1, covering portions of central and north central Montana — including the Gates of the Mountains area just north of Helena. The watch, issued early Friday morning, warns that flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible through the weekend.

The watch covers a broad swath of the region, taking in Cascade County below 5,000 feet, the East Glacier Park Region, Eastern and Western Glacier County areas, Western Toole, Central and Eastern Pondera, Eastern Teton, and the Northern High Plains. For residents near the Missouri River corridor north of town, that includes the canyon and recreation areas familiar to anyone who's floated or hiked the Gates.

A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Residents in low-lying areas, near creeks, or along river corridors should monitor conditions and have a plan if water rises quickly. The NWS Great Falls office is the point of contact for updates as the weekend progresses.

Anyone with outdoor plans in the Gates of the Mountains area or along affected drainages this weekend should check the latest NWS forecast before heading out. Updated watches, warnings, or advisories will be posted at weather.gov/gtf.