Alert archive / Montana / High Wind Warnings in 2026
High Wind Warning 14, NWS Great Falls, MT
NWS Great Falls, MT issued this high wind warning at Mar 10, 2026, 1:24 PM MDT for 18 counties in Montana. It took effect at Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM MDT. It was in force for 24 hr. 60 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Mar 10, 2026, 1:24 PM MDT (19:24 UTC)
- In effect from
- Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM MDT
- Expired
- Mar 12, 2026, 6:00 PM MDT
- In force
- 24 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Great Falls, MT
Counties Beaverhead County, MT, Blaine County, MT, Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Glacier County, MT, Hill County, MT, Jefferson County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Liberty County, MT, Madison County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Pondera County, MT, Teton County, MT, Toole County, MT
The radar
The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:25 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11, 11:19 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 3 Wnw Raynesford, MT | AWOS station K1AM Alpha. |
| Mar 12, 12:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 78 | 2 Wsw Moore, MT | Reported peak wind gust on Thursday. |
| Mar 12, 12:00 AM MDT | SNOW 12.1 | 8 N Kiowa, MT | NPS sensor Milk River Ridge change in snow depth over 24 hours prior to the report time. |
| Mar 12, 12:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 4 E Cascade, MT | Mesonet station MTM76 Cascade E Mda. |
| Mar 12, 12:50 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 8 Wsw Stockett, MT | Montana mesonet site Eden NW. |
| Mar 12, 1:05 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 21 Sw Lima, MT | Mesonet station HRKM8 Harkness RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 1:19 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 5 Wsw Great Falls, MT | ASOS station KGTF Great Falls Airport. |
| Mar 12, 1:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 1:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 7 Sse Neihart, MT | Mesonet station MTKIH Kings Hill Us_89 Mp 28.5. |
| Mar 12, 2:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 14 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station LGPVC Logan Pass (GNP). |
| Mar 12, 2:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 8 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station SNPMT Sunpoint. |
| Mar 12, 2:04 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 68 | 7 Ssw Big Sky, MT | Mesonet station YLWM8 Yellow Mule RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 2:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 2:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 2:55 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 8 Sse Fort Shaw, MT | Montana mesonet station Sun River SE. |
| Mar 12, 3:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 80 | 14 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station LGPVC Logan Pass (GNP). |
| Mar 12, 3:05 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 5 Nw Belt, MT | Montana mesonet station Belt NW. |
| Mar 12, 3:11 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 64 | 15 Ene Belgrade, MT | Battle Ridge RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 3:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 65 | 4 E Cascade, MT | Mesonet station MTM76 Cascade E Mda. |
| Mar 12, 3:21 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 3:22 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 7 Ene Power, MT | |
| Mar 12, 3:29 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 64 | 2 Nw Windham, MT | AWOS station K1CM Charlie. |
| Mar 12, 3:30 AM MDT | HIGH SUST WINDS 40 | 4 Nne Mcallister, MT | Average sustained wind speed of 40 mph from 0230 to 0330 local time. |
| Mar 12, 3:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 7 Se Fort Benton, MT | Montana mesonet station Frenchman Ridge. |
| Mar 12, 3:40 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 68 | 5 N Monarch, MT | Northwest Energy sensor. |
| Mar 12, 3:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 8 Ese Fort Benton, MT | Mesonet station MTM02 10.2 S Loma (MT-MESO). |
| Mar 12, 3:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 9 Ese Fort Benton, MT | Montana mesonet site Fort Benton E. |
| Mar 12, 3:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 65 | 10 Wsw Stockett, MT | Mesonet station FW1843 Great Falls. |
| Mar 12, 3:50 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 1 Ese Malmstrom Afb, MT | AWOS station KGFA Malmstrom AFB. |
| Mar 12, 3:52 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 7 Ese Hilger, MT | Mesonet station JPKM8 Judith Peak RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 3:55 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 7 Se Fort Benton, MT | Montana mesonet station Frenchman Ridge. |
| Mar 12, 3:55 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 76 | 8 Wsw Stockett, MT | Montana mesonet Eden NW. |
| Mar 12, 4:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 66 | 10 Wsw Stockett, MT | Mesonet station FW1843 Great Falls. |
| Mar 12, 4:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 71 | 8 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station SNPMT Sunpoint. |
| Mar 12, 4:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 82 | 14 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station LGPVC Logan Pass (GNP). |
| Mar 12, 4:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 64 | 14 W Bynum, MT | |
| Mar 12, 4:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 66 | 10 Wsw Stockett, MT | Mesonet station FW1843 Great Falls. |
| Mar 12, 4:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 70 | 10 Wsw Stockett, MT | Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report from 10 WSW Stockett. Mesonet station FW1843 Great Falls. |
| Mar 12, 4:16 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 1 Ese Malmstrom Afb, MT | AWOS station KGFA Malmstrom AFB. |
| Mar 12, 4:20 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 7 Se Fort Benton, MT | Montana mesonet station Frenchman Ridge. |
| Mar 12, 4:21 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 71 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 4:23 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 8 Sse Ulm, MT | AWOS station K1IM India. |
| Mar 12, 4:24 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 5 Wsw Martinsdale, MT | IngerRanch - KMTMONTA17. |
| Mar 12, 4:25 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 5 Nw Belt, MT | Montana mesonet station Belt NW. |
| Mar 12, 4:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 3 Ene Benchland, MT | Mesonet station MTM47 MDA - Benchland. |
| Mar 12, 4:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 65 | 3 Nne Monarch, MT | Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 4:31 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 5 Nne Forestgrove, MT | AWOS station K1NM 5 NE Forestgrove. |
| Mar 12, 4:40 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 10 Nne Vaughn, MT | Montana mesonet station Benton Lake W. |
| Mar 12, 4:40 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 68 | 5 Wsw Great Falls, MT | ASOS station KGTF Great Falls Airport. |
| Mar 12, 4:46 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 5 Wsw Great Falls, MT | RSOIS observations at NWS Great Falls. |
| Mar 12, 4:51 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 2 Nw Windham, MT | AWOS station K1CM Charlie. |
| Mar 12, 4:52 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 7 Ese Hilger, MT | Mesonet station JPKM8 Judith Peak RAWS. |
| Mar 12, 4:57 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 5 Wsw Great Falls, MT | ASOS station KGTF Great Falls Airport. |
| Mar 12, 5:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 75 | 8 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station SNPMT Sunpoint. |
| Mar 12, 5:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 76 | 5 Nw Belt, MT | Montana mesonet station Belt NW. |
| Mar 12, 5:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 92 | 14 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station LGPVC Logan Pass (GNP). |
| Mar 12, 5:11 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 66 | 15 Ene Belgrade, MT | Mesonet station TT838 Battle Ridge. |
| Mar 12, 5:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 13 S Marysville, MT | Mesonet station MTMDP MacDonald Pass (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 5:15 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 65 | 1 N Loma, MT | Mesonet station MTLOM Loma (MT DOT). |
| Mar 12, 5:17 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 68 | 5 Wsw Great Falls, MT |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Glasgow Intl Airport, MT (KGGW), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 367 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 987 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 89 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -33 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -8 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
935 WWUS75 KTFX 101924 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 124 PM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-111215- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0014.260312T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Kiowa, Choteau, Santa Rita, Pendroy, Dupuyer, Heart Butte, Cut Bank, Marias Pass, Rogers Pass, Ethridge, Babb, Bynum, Saint Mary, Browning, Logan Pass, and East Glacier Park 124 PM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM WEDNESDAY TO 3 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Southwest to westerly winds 35 to 55 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. Winds may gust over 95 mph along the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...From 6 PM Wednesday to 3 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or finding an alternate route. && $$ MTZ304-309-310-312-313-315>317-319>330-111215- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0014.260312T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0600Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton- Western and Central Chouteau County-Cascade County below 5000ft- Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area- Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley- Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Battle Ridge Pass, Great Falls, Clancy, Neihart, Boulder, Waterloo, Trident, Gallatin Gateway, Chester, Montana City, Big Sky, Devon, Deep Creek Pass, Martinsdale, Shelby, Floweree, Wickes, Joplin, Ledger, Ennis, Wisdom, Conrad, McAllister, Carter, Wolf Creek, Canyon Creek, Harrison, Galata, Pony, Townsend, Whitehall, Whitlash, Chief Joseph Pass, Windham, Bannack, Corbin, Brady, Stanford, Checkerboard, Homestake Pass, Marysville, Kings Hill Pass, Cameron, Dillon, Raynesford, Elk Park Pass, Dewey, Monida Pass, Glen, Craig, Raynolds Pass, MacDonald Pass, Ringling, Bozeman Pass, Jeffers, Lothair, Wise River, Moccasin, Bozeman, Targhee Pass, Three Forks, West Yellowstone, Norris, Fort Benton, Lincoln, Geyser, Big Hole Pass, Benchland, Winston, White Sulphur Springs, Flesher Pass, Willow Creek, Toston, Monarch, Hobson, Maudlow, and Helena 124 PM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Southwesterly winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph expected over southwest Montana and up to 85 mph over the plains. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...From midnight Wednesday Night to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or finding an alternate route. && $$ MTZ305-306-311-314-318-111215- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0014.260312T0600Z-260313T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0900Z-260313T0000Z/ Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Lewistown, Harlem, Rocky Boy, Chinook, Zurich, Havre, Hilger, Hogeland, and Fort Belknap 124 PM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Westerly winds 30 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph possible. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Fergus County below 4500ft, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ RG
6 follow-up statements
304 WWUS75 KTFX 110733 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 133 AM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-120000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Browning, Pendroy, Saint Mary, Logan Pass, Santa Rita, Ethridge, East Glacier Park, Bynum, Rogers Pass, Kiowa, Babb, Marias Pass, Dupuyer, Choteau, Cut Bank, and Heart Butte 133 AM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Southwest to westerly winds 35 to 55 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. Winds may gust over 95 mph along the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 3 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ304-309-310-312-313-315>317-319>330-120000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0600Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton- Western and Central Chouteau County-Cascade County below 5000ft- Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area- Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley- Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Helena, West Yellowstone, Battle Ridge Pass, Deep Creek Pass, Cameron, Big Hole Pass, Gallatin Gateway, Big Sky, Wisdom, Targhee Pass, Lothair, Lincoln, Jeffers, Toston, Whitehall, Moccasin, Joplin, Whitlash, Wise River, Dillon, Pony, Kings Hill Pass, Devon, White Sulphur Springs, Dewey, Homestake Pass, Windham, Floweree, Conrad, Monarch, Montana City, Galata, Canyon Creek, McAllister, Checkerboard, Willow Creek, Waterloo, Great Falls, Martinsdale, Norris, Benchland, Boulder, Monida Pass, Townsend, Brady, Flesher Pass, Maudlow, Clancy, Bozeman Pass, Marysville, Stanford, Wolf Creek, Hobson, Raynesford, Ringling, Raynolds Pass, Carter, Ledger, Bozeman, Neihart, Winston, Bannack, MacDonald Pass, Fort Benton, Ennis, Wickes, Chester, Craig, Elk Park Pass, Chief Joseph Pass, Glen, Trident, Shelby, Corbin, Three Forks, Harrison, and Geyser 133 AM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph, with gusts of between 65 and 80 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ305-306-311-314-318-120000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0900Z-260313T0000Z/ Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Zurich, Rocky Boy, Harlem, Hilger, Hogeland, Fort Belknap, Havre, Lewistown, and Chinook 133 AM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Fergus County below 4500ft, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Moldan
643 WWUS75 KTFX 111851 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1251 PM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-121215- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Browning, Marias Pass, Pendroy, Kiowa, Dupuyer, Rogers Pass, Choteau, Santa Rita, Babb, Saint Mary, Ethridge, East Glacier Park, Bynum, Cut Bank, Logan Pass, and Heart Butte 1251 PM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Southwest to westerly winds 35 to 55 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. Winds may gust over 95 mph along the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 3 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 4 AM and 9 AM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ304-309-310-312-313-315>317-319>330-121215- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0600Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton- Western and Central Chouteau County-Cascade County below 5000ft- Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area- Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley- Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Three Forks, Devon, Stanford, Lincoln, Bozeman, Floweree, Ennis, Dewey, Cameron, Kings Hill Pass, Montana City, Wisdom, Homestake Pass, Raynolds Pass, Bannack, Boulder, Townsend, Brady, Windham, Deep Creek Pass, Carter, Ledger, Willow Creek, Glen, Joplin, Galata, Great Falls, Martinsdale, Craig, Clancy, Norris, Bozeman Pass, Conrad, Whitehall, Targhee Pass, Hobson, Winston, Shelby, Jeffers, McAllister, Moccasin, Ringling, Geyser, Waterloo, Flesher Pass, Wise River, Big Sky, Helena, Dillon, Wolf Creek, Canyon Creek, White Sulphur Springs, Chief Joseph Pass, Lothair, Fort Benton, Raynesford, Marysville, MacDonald Pass, Monida Pass, Corbin, Big Hole Pass, Checkerboard, Maudlow, West Yellowstone, Trident, Toston, Benchland, Wickes, Neihart, Gallatin Gateway, Chester, Battle Ridge Pass, Harrison, Monarch, Whitlash, Pony, and Elk Park Pass 1251 PM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph, with gusts of between 65 and 80 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 6 AM and 11 AM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ305-306-311-314-318-121215- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0900Z-260313T0000Z/ Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Hilger, Zurich, Chinook, Lewistown, Harlem, Hogeland, Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap, and Havre 1251 PM MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Fergus County below 4500ft, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 8 AM and 1 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Hoenisch
700 WWUS75 KTFX 120625 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1225 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-122100- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Bynum, Choteau, Babb, Saint Mary, Marias Pass, Rogers Pass, Kiowa, Browning, Ethridge, Pendroy, Cut Bank, Logan Pass, Santa Rita, Heart Butte, Dupuyer, and East Glacier Park 1225 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 55 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. Winds gust over 95 mph along the immediate eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...Until 3 PM MDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 3 AM and 9 AM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ304-309-310-312-313-315>317-319>330-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton- Western and Central Chouteau County-Cascade County below 5000ft- Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area- Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley- Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Kings Hill Pass, Monarch, Clancy, West Yellowstone, Deep Creek Pass, Bannack, Wolf Creek, Canyon Creek, Toston, Three Forks, Boulder, Elk Park Pass, Marysville, Lothair, Bozeman, Fort Benton, Devon, Homestake Pass, Glen, Shelby, Stanford, Floweree, Raynesford, Galata, MacDonald Pass, Dillon, Moccasin, Joplin, Ennis, Carter, Gallatin Gateway, Whitehall, Winston, Wisdom, Checkerboard, Whitlash, Great Falls, Norris, Flesher Pass, Hobson, Corbin, Wise River, Martinsdale, Chief Joseph Pass, Geyser, Bozeman Pass, Maudlow, Battle Ridge Pass, Ringling, Raynolds Pass, Brady, Montana City, Conrad, Cameron, Ledger, Lincoln, Trident, Big Sky, Jeffers, White Sulphur Springs, Wickes, Craig, Harrison, Big Hole Pass, McAllister, Willow Creek, Monida Pass, Windham, Neihart, Townsend, Chester, Helena, Dewey, Waterloo, Targhee Pass, Pony, and Benchland 1225 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 50 mph, with gusts of between 65 and 85 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 6 AM and 2 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ305-306-311-314-318-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.260312T0900Z-260313T0000Z/ Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Zurich, Hogeland, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy, Chinook, Harlem, Lewistown, Hilger, and Havre 1225 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph expected. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Fergus County below 4500ft, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 8 AM and 2 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ Moldan
035 WWUS75 KTFX 121145 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 545 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-122100- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Bynum, Choteau, Babb, Saint Mary, Marias Pass, Rogers Pass, Kiowa, Browning, Ethridge, Pendroy, Cut Bank, Logan Pass, Santa Rita, Heart Butte, Dupuyer, and East Glacier Park 545 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 55 mph with gusts up to 95 mph. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...Until 3 PM MDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most intense are likely to occur through 9 AM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ304-309-310-312-313-315>317-319>330-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton- Western and Central Chouteau County-Cascade County below 5000ft- Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area- Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley- Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Kings Hill Pass, Monarch, Clancy, West Yellowstone, Deep Creek Pass, Bannack, Wolf Creek, Canyon Creek, Toston, Three Forks, Boulder, Elk Park Pass, Marysville, Lothair, Bozeman, Fort Benton, Devon, Homestake Pass, Glen, Shelby, Stanford, Floweree, Raynesford, Galata, MacDonald Pass, Dillon, Moccasin, Joplin, Ennis, Carter, Gallatin Gateway, Whitehall, Winston, Wisdom, Checkerboard, Whitlash, Great Falls, Norris, Flesher Pass, Hobson, Corbin, Wise River, Martinsdale, Chief Joseph Pass, Geyser, Bozeman Pass, Maudlow, Battle Ridge Pass, Ringling, Raynolds Pass, Brady, Montana City, Conrad, Cameron, Ledger, Lincoln, Trident, Big Sky, Jeffers, White Sulphur Springs, Wickes, Craig, Harrison, Big Hole Pass, McAllister, Willow Creek, Monida Pass, Windham, Neihart, Townsend, Chester, Helena, Dewey, Waterloo, Targhee Pass, Pony, and Benchland 545 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 55 mph, with gusts of between 70 and 90 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most intense are likely to occur through 2 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ305-306-311-314-318-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Zurich, Hogeland, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy, Chinook, Harlem, Lewistown, Hilger, and Havre 545 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine, Fergus County below 4500ft, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Peak wind speeds are likely between 8 AM and 2 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ Moldan
551 WWUS75 KTFX 121745 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1145 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-121845- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260312T2100Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Logan Pass, Dupuyer, Ethridge, Browning, Saint Mary, Rogers Pass, Cut Bank, Bynum, Marias Pass, Choteau, Pendroy, East Glacier Park, Babb, Heart Butte, Santa Rita, and Kiowa 1145 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... Gusty west to northwest winds continue through the rest of this afternoon, however the threat for strong winds with gusts in excess of 60 mph has ended. $$ MTZ304>306-309>311-121845- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County- Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton-Western and Central Chouteau County-Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine- Including the following locations: Chester, Hogeland, Conrad, Lothair, Joplin, Chinook, Ledger, Rocky Boy, Whitlash, Floweree, Fort Benton, Zurich, Havre, Shelby, Brady, Devon, Galata, Carter, Harlem, and Fort Belknap 1145 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... Gusty west to northwest winds continue through the rest of this afternoon, however the threat for strong winds with gusts in excess of 60 mph has ended. $$ MTZ312-313-315>317-319>330-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area-Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Gallatin Valley-Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Whitehall, Ennis, Maudlow, Neihart, Hobson, Three Forks, Benchland, Trident, Montana City, Harrison, Bozeman, Chief Joseph Pass, Big Sky, Raynolds Pass, Stanford, Canyon Creek, Willow Creek, Monida Pass, Corbin, Craig, Marysville, Raynesford, Lincoln, Wise River, Big Hole Pass, West Yellowstone, White Sulphur Springs, Boulder, Bozeman Pass, Glen, Windham, Checkerboard, Monarch, Geyser, Ringling, Townsend, McAllister, Flesher Pass, Norris, Great Falls, Martinsdale, Winston, Targhee Pass, Waterloo, Clancy, Dewey, Wisdom, Cameron, Moccasin, Gallatin Gateway, Wolf Creek, Deep Creek Pass, Elk Park Pass, Helena, Dillon, Homestake Pass, MacDonald Pass, Battle Ridge Pass, Jeffers, Toston, Pony, Bannack, Kings Hill Pass, and Wickes 1145 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph, with gusts between 60 and 75 mph continuing through early this afternoon before winds diminish later this afternoon and evening. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and southwest Montana. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be very difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. Blowing dust or snow could significantly reduce visibility at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Those traveling with high profile or light weight vehicles should consider delaying travel or find an alternate route. && $$ MTZ314-318-130000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Fergus County below 4500ft-Snowy and Judith Mountains- Including the following locations: Hilger and Lewistown 1145 AM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West to northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph continuing through this afternoon before diminishing this evening. * WHERE...Snowy and Judith Mountains and Fergus County below 4500ft. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Hoenisch
807 WWUS75 KTFX 122334 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 534 PM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 MTZ312>330-130045- /O.EXP.KTFX.HW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260313T0000Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Gates of the Mountains-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Snowy and Judith Mountains-Helena Valley-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Meagher County Valleys-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains- Canyon Ferry Area-Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley- Gallatin Valley-Northwest Beaverhead County-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains- Including the following locations: Bozeman Pass, Bannack, MacDonald Pass, Helena, Geyser, Big Hole Pass, Targhee Pass, Montana City, Windham, Ringling, McAllister, Bozeman, Raynolds Pass, Big Sky, Flesher Pass, Kings Hill Pass, Lewistown, Canyon Creek, Moccasin, Great Falls, Maudlow, Homestake Pass, Clancy, Townsend, Stanford, Willow Creek, Lincoln, Benchland, Three Forks, Pony, West Yellowstone, Dewey, Ennis, Hilger, Raynesford, Battle Ridge Pass, Winston, Waterloo, Corbin, Elk Park Pass, Deep Creek Pass, Gallatin Gateway, Checkerboard, Monarch, Martinsdale, Hobson, Boulder, Wise River, Toston, Norris, Neihart, Dillon, Chief Joseph Pass, Monida Pass, Wisdom, Wolf Creek, Trident, Whitehall, Wickes, Marysville, Harrison, White Sulphur Springs, Jeffers, Cameron, Craig, and Glen 534 PM MDT Thu Mar 12 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING... The threat for widespread high winds have ended. Breezy to gusty winds will continue across Southwest Montana over the next few hours. $$ Wilson
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this high wind warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Great Falls, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this high wind warning went out at Mar 10, 10:40 AM MDT, 2 hours 44 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Light isolated to scattered snow showers across the region Tuesday.
- Widespread, longer duration, strong winds possible late Wednesday into Thursday across the region.
- Heavy mountain snowfall will impact the Continental Divide during the second half of the week, with lower elevation snowfall possible Friday and Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 10, 10:40 AM MDT, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1040 AM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026 Aviation Section Updated. .KEY MESSAGES... - Light isolated to scattered snow showers across the region Tuesday. - Widespread, longer duration, strong winds possible late Wednesday into Thursday across the region. - Heavy mountain snowfall will impact the Continental Divide during the second half of the week, with lower elevation snowfall possible Friday and Saturday. && .UPDATE... /Issued 520 AM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026/ Morning update has been published, mainly to lower low temperatures over the plains of North Central Montana where recent snowfall and ideal radiational cooling has allowed temperatures to plummet. && .DISCUSSION... /Issued 520 AM MDT Tue Mar 10 2026/ - Meteorological Overview: Zonal flow aloft this week will keep streaming in moisture and Pacific waves through the weekend and into the beginning of next week. This will keep persistent snow along the Continental Divide through the forecast period. better synoptic forcing will allow for better chances for snow to set up late this week along the mountains and lower elevations. For the near term forecast for today, a mini shortwave trough will move through the region Tuesday. This will produce isolated to scattered brief, snow showers across the region throughout the day. Wednesday, westerly flow aloft will keep orographic snow over the Continental Divide throughout the day. However, strong 700mb winds and a low pressure system coming from the West Coast will begin a period of more impactful weather. Starting with widespread strong winds late Wednesday through Thursday. Mountain wave activity will be possible overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, with a strong pressure gradient developing. Diurnal mixing kicking in late Thursday morning will allow for the stronger winds aloft to mix down to the surface. The strong winds will also bring an elevated risk for wildfire spread if one does start. The low pressure system moving in late Wednesday and Thursday will also bring heavy snow to the Continental Divide. A front pushing south into MT and stalling across North-Central MT will help bring snow down to lower elevations. This front wavering/oscillating through the weekend and continuous warm moist air over running colder air will continue to bring periods of impactful snow to the mountains/North Central MT lower elevations Friday and Saturday. Strong winds late Wednesday night and into Thursday will also bring the concern for whiteout/blizzard conditions in the mountains and the Rocky Mountain Front foothills due to blowing snow. One final push of the front south Saturday will wind down the impactful snow. Next week, an upper level ridge builds in over the Western U.S., keeping MT on the eastern side. Temperatures look to warm up to well above normal midweek. There will be additional chances for precipitation at times due to the northwest flow aloft pattern. - Forecast Confidence & Scenarios: Snow Tuesday: Weak upper-level forcing will keep snow lighter over Marias Pass (up to a few inches) and lower elevations. Snowfall accumulations from snow showers across lower elevations will be more localized, and above freezing afternoon temperatures will make snow struggle to accumulate. Winds Wednesday Into Thursday: There is a concern for another longer duration and widespread wind event late Wednesday into Thursday across the region. ECMWF EFI (Extreme Forecast Index) values range from 0.8-0.95 for most of the region (the Hi-line has lesser values) for Thursday. The 700mb jet peaks to 75-90kts Thursday morning. Probabilities for 58 mph exceed 60-70% chances across the region, except the Hi-line. The persistent strong pressure gradient throughout the event brings a concern for persistent sustained winds. Vegetation weeekend from last Sunday's wind storm will be impacted in this upcoming event. One uncertainty that remains is how much blowing dust occurs Thursday. Recent snowfall across the lower elevations should help the dust not be as severe as Sunday's wind event. However, with the higher intensity of the winds, I can't rule out some blowing dust. Impactful Snowfall Wednesday Evening Through Saturday: There remains the concern for impactful heavy snowfall along the Northern Continental Divide Wednesday through Saturday. Remnant moisture from the atmospheric river along the Pacific U.S. coast will bring high amounts of QPF to the Northern Continental Divide. ECMWF EFI (Extreme Forecast Index) has values reaching 0.70-0.90 and shifted tails contours are between 1-2 over the Continental Divide Wednesday evening through Friday evening. Friday over North-Central MT, PWAT values reach to 0.40-0.50", which just about exceeds the 90th percentile for this time of year. This combined with the front stalling out, looks to be a sufficient set up for impactful snow at lower elevations Friday and Saturday. Over a 72 hour period through Saturday afternoon, there's a 50-70% chance for 6" of snow across the North-Central MT plains. Models also show a little bit of instability Thursday, which will bring periods of moderate to heavy snow along the Continental Divide. This combined with strong winds along the Rocky Mountain Front foothills, brings a concern for blizzard conditions to set up late Wednesday into Thursday. The Day 3 Winter Storm Severity Index is showing Moderate impacts for Marias Pass and Major Impacts for U.S. 2 for East Glacier to Browning for blowing Snow impacts late Wednesday through Thursday. The long duration of the snow will increase stress on the infrastructure throughout the event. The heavy snow and strong winds Thursday will also bring the risk for downed trees and power lines. Traveling in the mountains/Marias Pass during this time frame will be dangerous to impossible. South of the MT Highway 200/Little Belts/Snowys corridor looks to see a less of an impact from this system due to the region being south of the stalled front. Impacts across lower elevations will ultimately be determined based on where that front stalls Thursday through Saturday, which will have a little variability this far our still. -Wilson && .AVIATION... 10/18z TAF Period Primary concern this TAF period will be for diurnally driven winds through sunset today, with widely scattered snow showers around over the same timeframe. As winds diminish this evening the risk for snow showers will also diminish. Mountains will occasionally be obscured this afternoon and early evening from the snow shower activity. Gusty winds return late morning or early afternoon across the region Wednesday. -AM && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 38 21 45 37 / 20 20 10 50 CTB 33 17 38 26 / 30 20 20 70 HLN 38 20 46 37 / 30 20 30 60 BZN 38 14 46 34 / 30 20 10 30 WYS 32 4 35 26 / 50 20 10 50 DLN 35 16 45 34 / 20 20 10 30 HVR 40 19 45 27 / 20 20 10 70 LWT 36 16 41 31 / 40 20 10 50 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Watch from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon for Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Canyon Ferry Area-Cascade County below 5000ft-East Glacier Park Region-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton-Eastern Toole and Liberty-Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains- Gallatin Valley-Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains-Gates of the Mountains-Helena Valley-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains- Madison River Valley-Meagher County Valleys-Missouri Headwaters- Northern High Plains-Northwest Beaverhead County-Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains-Southern High Plains-Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass-Western and Central Chouteau County. Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday evening through Friday afternoon for East Glacier Park Region-Southern Rocky Mountain Front. High Wind Watch from late Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon for Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Snowy and Judith Mountains. && http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
The office that day
Everything else NWS Great Falls, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10, 2:09 PM MDT | Winter Storm Watch | TFX | Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Glacier, Hill and 7 more | 35 hr |
| Mar 10, 2:09 PM MDT | Winter Storm Warning | TFX | Beaverhead, Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin and 7 more | 4 days |
| Mar 10, 2:09 PM MDT | Winter Weather Advisory | TFX | Beaverhead, Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Pondera, Teton | 28 hr |
Nearby
High Wind Warnings in Montana, 2026Every high wind warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.