The National Weather Service office in Great Falls issued a High Wind Warning covering portions of north-central Montana — including the Southern Rocky Mountain Front — effective from 9 a.m. Saturday, October 17, through midnight Saturday night. Southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 75 mph.
The warning covers Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, Central Pondera, Eastern Toole and Liberty counties, the Southern High Plains, and the Southern Rocky Mountain Front. NWS forecasters warned that travel will be difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles such as semi-trucks, campers, and SUVs. Isolated tree damage and power outages are also possible under those wind speeds.
The warning upgraded what had been a High Wind Watch issued late Thursday night, October 15, which flagged the same region for westerly winds of 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 mph. Residents traveling U.S. Highway 89 or Interstate 15 through the Front on Saturday should check road conditions before departing and allow extra time or consider delaying travel until winds subside after midnight.