Alert archive / Montana / High Wind Warnings in 2026
High Wind Warning 18, NWS Great Falls, MT
NWS Great Falls, MT issued this high wind warning at Mar 19, 2026, 2:22 PM MDT for 12 counties in Montana. It took effect at Mar 20, 2026, 6:00 AM MDT. It was in force for 21 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 19, 2026, 2:22 PM MDT (20:22 UTC)
- In effect from
- Mar 20, 2026, 6:00 AM MDT
- Expired
- Mar 21, 2026, 2:45 AM MDT
- In force
- 21 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Great Falls, MT
Counties Broadwater County, MT, Cascade County, MT, Chouteau County, MT, Fergus County, MT, Gallatin County, MT, Glacier County, MT, Judith Basin County, MT, Lewis and Clark County, MT, Meagher County, MT, Pondera County, MT, Teton County, MT, Toole County, MT
The radar
The Great Falls radar (KTFX), 9 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:23 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 20, 10:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 3 Nne Monarch, MT | Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 10:00 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 65 | 8 Wsw Saint Mary, MT | Mesonet station SNPMT Sunpoint. |
| Mar 20, 10:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 11:21 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 71 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 20, 11:22 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 3 Wnw Raynesford, MT | AWOS station K1AM Alpha. |
| Mar 20, 11:22 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 3 Wnw Raynesford, MT | AWOS station K1AM Alpha. |
| Mar 20, 11:30 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 75 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 11:37 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 55 | 8 Ene Denton, MT | AWOS station K1DM 7 ENE Denton. |
| Mar 20, 11:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 60 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 11:45 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 81 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 11:48 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | East Glacier Park, MT | Ambient Weather Station : Glacier Park Trading Company, East Glacier Park Village. |
| Mar 20, 11:56 AM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 3 Sw Cut Bank, MT | ASOS station KCTB Cut Bank Airport. |
| Mar 20, 12:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 77 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 75 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:21 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 87 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 20, 12:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 59 | 4 Nnw Ethridge, MT | Montana mesonet site Ethridge N. |
| Mar 20, 12:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 78 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:35 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 81 | 9 Ese East Glacier Park, MT | Dog Gun Lake E MT Mesonet measured an 81 mph wind gust. |
| Mar 20, 12:45 PM MDT | HIGH SUST WINDS 59 | 14 W Bynum, MT | Mesonet station DELMT Dellwo (MCSCN). |
| Mar 20, 12:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 2 Sse Geyser, MT | Mesonet station MTGYS Geyser (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 77 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 12:52 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 7 Ese Hilger, MT | Mesonet station JPKM8 Judith Peak RAWS. |
| Mar 20, 12:55 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 88 | 9 Ese East Glacier Park, MT | Dog Gun Lake E MT Mesonet measured an 88 mph wind gust. |
| Mar 20, 12:56 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 3 Sw Cut Bank, MT | ASOS station KCTB Cut Bank Airport. |
| Mar 20, 1:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 61 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 80 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:10 PM MDT | HIGH SUST WINDS 41 | 8 Wsw Stockett, MT | Eden NW MT Mesonet averaged 41 mph sustained winds over the past hour and half ending at report time. |
| Mar 20, 1:14 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 63 | 18 Sw Augusta, MT | Goss Ranch - KMTAUGUS4. |
| Mar 20, 1:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 66 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 77 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:21 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 89 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 20, 1:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 57 | 7 Sse Neihart, MT | Mesonet station MTKIH Kings Hill Us_89 Mp 28.5. |
| Mar 20, 1:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 78 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:43 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 77 | 3 Sw Cut Bank, MT | ASOS station KCTB Cut Bank Airport. |
| Mar 20, 1:44 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 5 Wsw Geyser, MT | Red Barn - KMTGEYSE7. |
| Mar 20, 1:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 71 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 73 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 1:56 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 72 | 3 Sw Cut Bank, MT | ASOS station KCTB Cut Bank Airport. |
| Mar 20, 2:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 14 W Bynum, MT | Mesonet station DELMT Dellwo (MCSCN). |
| Mar 20, 2:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 1 Ene East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station MTBRN Two Medicine Bridge (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 2:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 76 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 2:06 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | Babb, MT | Ambient Weather Station : Howards Lodge. |
| Mar 20, 2:10 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 16 Wsw Cut Bank, MT | Montana mesonet site Mission Lake S. |
| Mar 20, 2:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 62 | 16 Wsw Cut Bank, MT | Mission Lake S Mesonet measured a 62 mph wind gust. |
| Mar 20, 2:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 14 E Saint Mary, MT | Montana mesonet site Wetzel NE. |
| Mar 20, 2:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 78 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 2:21 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 91 | 8 Se East Glacier Park, MT | Mesonet station DCRM8 Deep Creek RAWS. |
| Mar 20, 2:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 8 Ssw Choteau, MT | Mesonet station MTCTS Choteau South Us-287 Mp 56.0. |
| Mar 20, 2:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 73 | 20 Sw Bynum, MT | Mesonet station SALMT Salmond Ranch. |
| Mar 20, 2:30 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 87 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 2:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 67 | 8 Ssw Choteau, MT | Mesonet station MTCTS Choteau South Us-287 Mp 56.0. |
| Mar 20, 2:45 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 69 | 5 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station SHBM Browning. |
| Mar 20, 3:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 53 | 13 Nnw Canyon Creek, MT | Mesonet station MTFPS Flesher Pass S-279 Mp 30.5. |
| Mar 20, 3:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 72 | 14 W Bynum, MT | Mesonet station DELMT Dellwo (MCSCN). |
| Mar 20, 3:00 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 88 | 2 Se Browning, MT | Mesonet station MTBWG Browning (MT DOT). |
| Mar 20, 3:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 58 | 6 N Dutton, MT | Mesonet station MTTRV Teton River I-15 Mp 319.0. |
| Mar 20, 3:15 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND GST 75 | 14 W Bynum, MT | Mesonet station DELMT Dellwo (MCSCN). |
| Mar 20, 3:16 PM MDT | NON-TSTM WND DMG | 4 Se Browning, MT | Blackfeet Law Enforcement reports that a semi has been blown over on US Hwy 89 near mile marker 109. |
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, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 368 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
- 2091 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 65 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 275 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 352 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
989 WWUS75 KTFX 192022 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 222 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 MTZ310-192130- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.A.0016.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ Western and Central Chouteau County- Including the following locations: Fort Benton, Carter, and Floweree 222 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WATCH IS CANCELLED... $$ MTZ301>303-308-201130- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0016.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260320T0600Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Saint Mary, Logan Pass, Babb, Heart Butte, Santa Rita, Cut Bank, Dupuyer, Ethridge, Bynum, Pendroy, Choteau, Marias Pass, East Glacier Park, Browning, and Kiowa 222 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...For the first High Wind Warning through this evening, southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 85 mph. For the second High Wind Warning in effect from Friday morning through noon Saturday, southwest winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...The Montana Hi-Line adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front, and Southern High Plains. * WHEN...For the first High Wind Warning, until midnight MDT tonight. For the second High Wind Warning, from 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and cause isolated power outages. Travel could be difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ307-315-201130- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0016.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Including the following locations: Marysville, Lincoln, MacDonald Pass, Flesher Pass, and Rogers Pass 222 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and Southern Rocky Mountain Front. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * 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. Remember, a High Wind Warning means that there is at least an 80% chance of 40 mph sustained winds or 58 mph wind gusts occurring during the warning period. && $$ MTZ312>314-317-320-201130- /O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0016.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Benchland, Kings Hill Pass, Monarch, Stanford, Geyser, Hobson, Great Falls, Hilger, Neihart, Maudlow, Lewistown, Moccasin, Deep Creek Pass, Windham, Raynesford, Bozeman Pass, Battle Ridge Pass, and Trident 222 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Cascade County, including the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4500ft, and Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Remember, a High Wind Warning means that there is at least an 80% chance of 40 mph sustained winds or 58 mph wind gusts occurring during the warning period. && $$ Ludwig
7 follow-up statements
481 WWUS75 KTFX 200107 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 707 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 MTZ301>303-308-201615- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260320T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Kiowa, Choteau, Marias Pass, Bynum, Pendroy, Babb, Saint Mary, Browning, Heart Butte, Logan Pass, Cut Bank, Ethridge, East Glacier Park, Santa Rita, and Dupuyer 707 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT... ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...For the first High Wind Warning, southwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph. Isolated wind gusts up to 100 mph along and west of the US Highway 89 corridor. For the second High Wind Warning, southwest winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...The Montana Hi-Line adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front, and Southern High Plains. * WHEN...For the first High Wind Warning, until midnight MDT tonight. For the second High Wind Warning, from 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ307-315-201615- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Including the following locations: MacDonald Pass, Marysville, Lincoln, Rogers Pass, and Flesher Pass 707 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and Southern Rocky Mountain Front. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ312>314-317-320-201615- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Kings Hill Pass, Stanford, Maudlow, Lewistown, Trident, Neihart, Benchland, Battle Ridge Pass, Windham, Raynesford, Hobson, Great Falls, Moccasin, Monarch, Deep Creek Pass, Hilger, Bozeman Pass, and Geyser 707 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Cascade County, including the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4500ft, and Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Moldan
564 WWUS75 KTFX 200242 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 842 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 MTZ303-201745- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260320T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera- Including the following locations: Cut Bank, Ethridge, and Santa Rita 842 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph expected. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Remember, a High Wind Warning means that there is at least an 80% chance of 40 mph sustained winds or 58 mph wind gusts occurring during the warning period. && $$ MTZ301-302-308-201745- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260320T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Kiowa, Choteau, Marias Pass, Bynum, Pendroy, Babb, Saint Mary, Browning, Heart Butte, Logan Pass, East Glacier Park, and Dupuyer 842 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT... ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...For the first High Wind Warning, southwest winds 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph. For the second High Wind Warning, southwest winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...The foothills and plains adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front, and East Glacier Park Region. * WHEN...For the first High Wind Warning, until midnight MDT tonight. For the second High Wind Warning, from 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ307-315-201745- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Including the following locations: MacDonald Pass, Marysville, Lincoln, Rogers Pass, and Flesher Pass 842 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 85 mph expected. * WHERE...Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass and Southern Rocky Mountain Front. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property, and cause isolated power outages. Travel could be difficult to dangerous, especially for high profile or light weight vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ312>314-317-320-201745- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Kings Hill Pass, Stanford, Maudlow, Lewistown, Trident, Neihart, Benchland, Battle Ridge Pass, Windham, Raynesford, Hobson, Great Falls, Moccasin, Monarch, Deep Creek Pass, Hilger, Bozeman Pass, and Geyser 842 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. * WHERE...Cascade County, including the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4500ft, and Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Moldan
136 WWUS75 KTFX 200500 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1100 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 MTZ301-302-308-202100- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0017.000000T0000Z-260320T0600Z/ /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Kiowa, Choteau, Marias Pass, Bynum, Pendroy, Babb, Saint Mary, Browning, Heart Butte, Logan Pass, East Glacier Park, and Dupuyer 1100 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 40 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 90 mph expected. Isolated wind gusts approaching 100 mph are possible along the immediate eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The foothills and plains adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front, and East Glacier Park Region. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ303-307-315-202100- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1200Z-260321T1800Z/ Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Including the following locations: MacDonald Pass, Marysville, Lincoln, Rogers Pass, Cut Bank, Ethridge, Santa Rita, and Flesher Pass 1100 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, Southern Rocky Mountain Front, and Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...From 6 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ312>314-317-320-202100- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.260320T1500Z-260321T1800Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Kings Hill Pass, Stanford, Maudlow, Lewistown, Trident, Neihart, Benchland, Battle Ridge Pass, Windham, Raynesford, Hobson, Great Falls, Moccasin, Monarch, Deep Creek Pass, Hilger, Bozeman Pass, and Geyser 1100 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Cascade County, including the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4500ft, and Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 9 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to significant reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ Moldan
432 WWUS75 KTFX 201901 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 101 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 MTZ301>303-307-308-315-211115- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1800Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Including the following locations: Babb, Cut Bank, Rogers Pass, Saint Mary, Marias Pass, Kiowa, Browning, Flesher Pass, Pendroy, MacDonald Pass, Dupuyer, Lincoln, East Glacier Park, Logan Pass, Ethridge, Marysville, Choteau, Bynum, Santa Rita, and Heart Butte 101 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 80 mph. Isolated gusts to 95 mph along the immediate east slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, and Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to localized reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Remember, a High Wind Warning means that there is at least an 80% chance of 40 mph sustained winds or 58 mph wind gusts occurring during the warning period. && $$ MTZ312>314-317-320-211115- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1800Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Fergus County below 4500ft-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Windham, Geyser, Moccasin, Battle Ridge Pass, Hobson, Monarch, Lewistown, Great Falls, Bozeman Pass, Trident, Kings Hill Pass, Hilger, Maudlow, Deep Creek Pass, Benchland, Neihart, Raynesford, and Stanford 101 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. Gusts up to 75 mph in eastern Glacier county. * WHERE...Cascade County, including the Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4500ft, and Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing dust in prone areas could lead to localized reductions in visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Remember, a High Wind Warning means that there is at least an 80% chance of 40 mph sustained winds or 58 mph wind gusts occurring during the warning period. && $$ Hoenisch
349 WWUS75 KTFX 210123 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 723 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 MTZ314-315-317-320-210230- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1800Z/ Fergus County below 4500ft-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass- Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains- Including the following locations: Bozeman Pass, Monarch, Maudlow, Hilger, Kings Hill Pass, Neihart, MacDonald Pass, Flesher Pass, Deep Creek Pass, Lewistown, Lincoln, Battle Ridge Pass, Marysville, and Trident 723 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... $$ MTZ301>303-307-308-211200- /O.EXT.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1200Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Ethridge, Bynum, Santa Rita, Saint Mary, East Glacier Park, Logan Pass, Heart Butte, Babb, Dupuyer, Choteau, Cut Bank, Marias Pass, Pendroy, Rogers Pass, Browning, and Kiowa 723 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 40 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph. * WHERE...The Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains, and Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties. * WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$ MTZ312-313-211200- /O.EXT.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1200Z/ Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Including the following locations: Benchland, Geyser, Great Falls, Windham, Stanford, Hobson, Moccasin, and Raynesford 723 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...Cascade County below 5000ft and Judith Basin County and Judith Gap. * WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Saturday. * 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. && $$ Moldan
068 WWUS75 KTFX 210417 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1017 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 MTZ301-302-307-312-313-210530- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1200Z/ East Glacier Park Region-Northern High Plains-Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Cascade County below 5000ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap- Including the following locations: Raynesford, Benchland, Moccasin, Saint Mary, Geyser, Great Falls, East Glacier Park, Logan Pass, Heart Butte, Babb, Dupuyer, Stanford, Windham, Marias Pass, Hobson, Rogers Pass, Browning, and Kiowa 1017 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... $$ MTZ303-308-211200- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1200Z/ Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Ethridge, Bynum, Santa Rita, Cut Bank, Pendroy, and Choteau 1017 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, and Southern High Plains. * WHEN...Until 6 AM MDT Saturday. * 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. && $$ Moldan
865 WWUS75 KTFX 210845 NPWTFX URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 245 AM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026 MTZ303-308-210945- /O.CAN.KTFX.HW.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260321T1200Z/ Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Southern High Plains- Including the following locations: Choteau, Pendroy, Cut Bank, Santa Rita, Ethridge, and Bynum 245 AM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED... The threat for impactful strong winds has ended. $$ Brusda
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 19, 11:48 AM MDT, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Unseasonably mild temperatures and periods of windy conditions continue through Saturday.
- A Pacific trough and cold front brings cooler temperatures and a brief period of showery conditions this weekend.
- Temperatures briefly warm again early next week before another Pacific cold front brings more scattered showers, windy conditions, and cooler temperatures around the middle of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 19, 11:48 AM MDT, 2 hours 34 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1148 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 Aviation Section Updated. .KEY MESSAGES... - Unseasonably mild temperatures and periods of windy conditions continue through Saturday. - A Pacific trough and cold front brings cooler temperatures and a brief period of showery conditions this weekend. - Temperatures briefly warm again early next week before another Pacific cold front brings more scattered showers, windy conditions, and cooler temperatures around the middle of next week. && .DISCUSSION... /Issued 750 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026/ - Meteorological Overview: An anomalously strong ridge of high pressure will remain entrenched over the Great Basin and southwestern CONUS through the first half of the weekend. The Northern Rockies will be situated on the northern periphery of this feature, which will continue to bring dry and unseasonably warm conditions while strong westerly flow aloft maintains periods of windy conditions, scattered to broken mid- and higher level cloudiness, and even a few isolated showers. The combination of H700 flow between 60 and 70 kts, mountain wave activity, and diurnal mixing will produce the strongest winds along the Rocky Mountain Front and the plains west of I15 for today. A stronger 60 to 80 kt H700 jet still looks to cross the Northern Rockies Friday through early Saturday in advance of an approaching Pacific trough/cold front and bring an opportunity for more widespread stronger winds. The focus will initially be along the Rocky Mountain Front/adjoining plains and over and near the central MT island ranges. By Saturday portions of southwest Montana will begin to see stronger winds with 50 kt H700 flow coming in from the southwest in addition to scattered shower activity helping transfer some of these stronger winds to the surface. Winds decrease in a northwest to southeast fashion by Saturday evening. Ridging aloft looks to build in briefly early next week before another Pacific trough and cold front moves through Wednesday into Thursday. It's kind of early to start interrogating some of specifics with this system, but the ensembles are hinting at stronger end H700/H500 flow on the order of 70 to 100 kts. Should this occur, then we may be looking at another higher end wind event depending on diurnal timing and other factors. - RCG - Forecast Confidence & Scenarios: Windy conditions continue through Saturday... Stronger winds along the Rocky Mountain Front and the plains west of I15 will be powered by a 60 to 70 kt H700 jet, mountain wave activity, and diurnal mixing. This will result in winds being a little stronger than the previous couple of days. It won't be out of the question for wind gusts to exceed 90 mph (40 to 60% chance) for Rocky Mountain Front locations along and west of the highway 89 corridor. Other high plains locations west of I15 will see gusts up to 75 mph. Other plains locations will generally see winds gusting in the 35 to 55 mph range. The Geyser area in Judith Basin County was given consideration to add to the warning, but held off for now due to the short duration and localized area of the higher winds. Impacts look to be greatest for those operating high profile and or light weight vehicles. Friday through Saturday, stronger winds aloft associated with the Pacific trough and cold front look to sweep through the Northern Rockies. The uncertainty that impacts the magnitude of winds for northern areas will be how fast a Canadian front moves south and undercuts the elevated winds aloft. The GFS suite typically handles these scenarios a little better than other ensembles and times the front to move southward into the plains sometime Saturday morning or early afternoon. This suggests the opportunity for stronger winds along the Rocky Mountain Front and the plains will roughly run from Friday morning through early Saturday before shifting the focus southward into southwest MT. NBM probabilities for 60 mph wind gusts on Friday and Saturday continue to be less than ideal for high wind products, but it still shapes the normal problem areas with a rough 30 to 60% chance, including the Rocky Mountain Front, plains west of of I15, central MT 87/200 corridor, and the narrow south to north oriented valleys of southwest MT. Given the meteorological set up, I went ahead and put a watch out for the higher confidence locations with anticipation of better model agreement prior to upgrading to warnings. - RCG && .AVIATION... 19/18Z TAF Period VFR conditions will prevail over the next 24 hours, though strong gusty winds will continue, especially along the Rocky Mountain Front through the next 24 hours. Watch for occasional gusts over 50 kts at KCTB, though a rogue 50+kt gust at KGTF can't be ruled out. Mountain wave turbulence will be present through the forecast period as well. Ludwig && .FIRE WEATHER... Warm, breezy, and dry conditions are expected through the end of the work week as we remain under the northern edge of an upper level ridge. While this will result in elevated fire weather conditions, RH values outside of the southwest MT valleys should mostly remain above 20%, and recent snowfall and snowmelt should keep fine fuels and soils moist enough to prevent conditions from becoming critical. The southwestern valleys, however, will be much drier and will continue to be monitored for elevated to critical fire weather conditions. - RCG/Ludwig && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 68 51 72 51 / 10 0 0 0 CTB 63 45 65 43 / 10 10 10 10 HLN 69 43 74 45 / 0 0 0 0 BZN 74 42 77 45 / 0 0 0 0 WYS 62 27 64 30 / 0 0 0 0 DLN 72 42 74 44 / 0 0 0 0 HVR 71 44 73 45 / 10 0 20 0 LWT 67 46 71 45 / 10 0 0 0 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning until midnight MDT tonight for East Glacier Park Region-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera- Northern High Plains-Southern High Plains. High Wind Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning for East Glacier Park Region-Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Northern High Plains-Southern High Plains- Southern Rocky Mountain Front-Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass. High Wind Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning for Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Cascade County below 5000ft-Fergus County below 4500ft-Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Western and Central Chouteau County. && http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
In the hours before
Local storm report, Mar 19, 10:27 AM MDT, 3 hours 55 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1027 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1015 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Geyser 47.25N 110.48W
03/19/2026 E63 MPH Judith Basin MT Dept of Highways
MDT Geyser Sensor.
&&
MLLocal storm report, Mar 19, 10:45 AM MDT, 3 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1045 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1030 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Geyser 47.25N 110.48W
03/19/2026 E73 MPH Judith Basin MT Dept of Highways
Geyser MDT sensor.
&&
MLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Great Falls, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19, 12:43 AM MDT | High Wind Watch | TFX | Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Gallatin, Glacier and 6 more | 14 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.