High Wind Warning 22, NWS Great Falls, MT

787 
WWUS75 KTFX 220523
NPWTFX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1123 PM MDT Tue Apr 21 2026

MTZ325-222030-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0022.260422T0900Z-260423T0000Z/
Madison River Valley-
Including the following locations: Norris, Ennis, McAllister,
Cameron, and Jeffers
1123 PM MDT Tue Apr 21 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM MDT 
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Southerly winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Madison River Valley.

* WHEN...From 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Wednesday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MTZ304>306-310-311-314-222030-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.A.0020.260423T0600Z-260424T0000Z/
Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-
Western and Central Chouteau County-Bears Paw Mountains and
Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-
Including the following locations: Zurich, Shelby, Lothair,
Galata, Joplin, Hilger, Fort Benton, Rocky Boy, Carter, Whitlash,
Chinook, Chester, Harlem, Lewistown, Havre, Hogeland, Fort
Belknap, Devon, and Floweree
1123 PM MDT Tue Apr 21 2026

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT 
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Northwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  possible.

* WHERE...Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Hill County, Northern 
  Blaine County, Western and Central Chouteau County, Bears Paw 
  Mountains and Southern Blaine, and Fergus County below 4500ft.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon.

* 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...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

&&

$$

IG

973 
WWUS75 KTFX 221559
NPWTFX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
959 AM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

MTZ324-328-222300-
/O.EXA.KTFX.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260423T0000Z/
Missouri Headwaters-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-
Including the following locations: Glen, Dillon, Three Forks,
Willow Creek, Whitehall, Waterloo, Harrison, Bannack, and Pony
959 AM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...South to southwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 
  60 mph.

* WHERE...Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft and Missouri 
  Headwaters.

* 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.

&&

$$

MTZ325-222300-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260423T0000Z/
Madison River Valley-
Including the following locations: Cameron, Ennis, Jeffers,
Norris, and McAllister
959 AM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southerly winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Madison River Valley.

* 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.

&&

$$

MTZ304>306-310-311-314-222300-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.A.0020.260423T0600Z-260424T0000Z/
Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-
Western and Central Chouteau County-Bears Paw Mountains and
Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-
Including the following locations: Fort Belknap, Shelby, Chinook,
Galata, Harlem, Floweree, Carter, Havre, Chester, Joplin, Hilger,
Zurich, Lothair, Fort Benton, Hogeland, Lewistown, Rocky Boy,
Whitlash, and Devon
959 AM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH 
THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Northwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  possible.

* WHERE...Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Hill County, Northern 
  Blaine County, Western and Central Chouteau County, Bears Paw 
  Mountains and Southern Blaine, and Fergus County below 4500ft.

* WHEN...From late tonight through Thursday afternoon.

* 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...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

&&

$$

RG

777 
WWUS75 KTFX 222010
NPWTFX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
210 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

MTZ304>306-310-311-314-230100-
/O.UPG.KTFX.HW.A.0020.260423T0600Z-260424T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KTFX.HW.W.0023.260423T0600Z-260424T0000Z/
Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-
Western and Central Chouteau County-Bears Paw Mountains and
Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-
Including the following locations: Fort Belknap, Shelby, Chinook,
Galata, Harlem, Floweree, Carter, Havre, Chester, Joplin, Hilger,
Zurich, Lothair, Fort Benton, Hogeland, Lewistown, Rocky Boy,
Whitlash, and Devon
210 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM MDT 
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Northwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Hill County, Northern 
  Blaine County, Western and Central Chouteau County, Bears Paw 
  Mountains and Southern Blaine, and Fergus County below 4500ft.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight 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...The strongest winds will be the over the 
  southeast aspects of the Sweetgrass Hills, Bear's Paw, and Snowy 
  Mountains.

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.

&&

$$

MTZ324-328-230000-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260423T0000Z/
Missouri Headwaters-Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft-
Including the following locations: Glen, Dillon, Three Forks,
Willow Creek, Whitehall, Waterloo, Harrison, Bannack, and Pony
210 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...South to southwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 
  55 mph.

* WHERE...Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft and Missouri 
  Headwaters.

* 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.

&&

$$

MTZ325-230000-
/O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260423T0000Z/
Madison River Valley-
Including the following locations: Cameron, Ennis, Jeffers,
Norris, and McAllister
210 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southerly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* WHERE...Madison River Valley.

* 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.


&&

$$

RG

607 
WWUS75 KTFX 222337
NPWTFX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
537 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

MTZ324-325-328-230045-
/O.EXP.KTFX.HW.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260423T0000Z/
Missouri Headwaters-Madison River Valley-Beaverhead and Western
Madison below 6000ft-
Including the following locations: Dillon, Three Forks, Cameron,
Norris, Waterloo, Glen, Ennis, Pony, Willow Creek, Harrison,
Jeffers, McAllister, Whitehall, and Bannack
537 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM MDT THIS EVENING...

The threat has ended.

$$

MTZ304>306-310-311-314-231445-
/O.EXT.KTFX.HW.W.0023.260422T2337Z-260424T0000Z/
Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-
Western and Central Chouteau County-Bears Paw Mountains and
Southern Blaine-Fergus County below 4500ft-
Including the following locations: Whitlash, Chinook, Rocky Boy,
Chester, Joplin, Hilger, Havre, Lothair, Fort Belknap, Fort
Benton, Zurich, Carter, Lewistown, Devon, Galata, Floweree,
Hogeland, Harlem, and Shelby
537 PM MDT Wed Apr 22 2026

...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Northwesterly winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph 
  expected.

* WHERE...Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Hill County, Northern 
  Blaine County, Western and Central Chouteau County, Bears Paw 
  Mountains and Southern Blaine, and Fergus County below 4500ft.

* WHEN...Until 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...The strongest winds will be the over the 
  southeast aspects of the Sweetgrass Hills, Bear's Paw, and Snowy 
  Mountains.

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.

&&

$$

IG

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1211 PM MDT Tue Apr 21 2026

Aviation Section Updated.

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Hottest day of the week for most today.

 - Showers and thunderstorms in a few areas tomorrow afternoon
   ahead of a cold front bringing much cooler temperatures, gusty
   winds, and winter weather into Thursday.

 - Unsettled with cool temperatures Friday into the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
/Issued 149 AM MDT Tue Apr 21 2026/

 - Meteorological Overview:

A long fetch of southerly flow aloft ahead of an upper level low
just off the Pacific coastline will result in the warmest day of the
week for many today. While the day looks to be dry for the vast
majority of areas, a few showers cannot be completely ruled out
given the ample surface heating and diffluent flow aloft this
afternoon and evening. A few elevated showers or thunderstorms
cannot be ruled out tonight as better forcing aloft arrives.

As the upper low devolves more into a series of stronger open waves,
the mass drifts northeastward toward the Northern Rockies and
Northern Great Plains Wednesday. Sufficiently cool air aloft looks
to combine with forcing from the troughing and still very warm
surface temperatures across much of the region to result in showers
and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. The overall risk
for a strong to severe thunderstorm appears quite conditional and
localized at this time, but bears monitoring for changes in trends.

A cold front then moves across the region Wednesday night, bringing
gusty northwesterly winds (Mostly across the plains) and much cooler
temperatures. Northwesterly surface flow behind this cold front and
additional forcing from a trough diving South/Southeast from BC late
Wednesday night into Thursday will result in a stretch of winter
weather, mostly in the mountains and in northwesterly upslope
favored areas at lower elevations like the Lewistown area and areas
southeast of Great Falls toward the Little Belts. Although overall
snowfall amounts may not accumulate to large totals at lower
elevations, the combination of gusty northwest winds and falling
snow will result in difficult travel conditions and stress
infrastructure late Wednesday night and Thursday.

The aforementioned trough diving south or southeast from BC slows
and lingers near the Continental Divide in Southwest Montana
Thursday into Thursday night. This will aid in additional snowfall
along the Continental Divide and across Southwest Montana over this
timeframe.

Confidence in specifics wane after Thursday, but the overall pattern
of upper level troughing across the region persists through the
weekend. The main takeaway for this timeframe is for temperatures to
continue to be on the cooler side, with additional rounds of
precipitation at times. -AM

 - Forecast Confidence & Scenarios:

Thunderstorms Wednesday:

Latest HREF guidance favors areas near the Canadian border for the
greatest instability Wednesday afternoon. The probability for 500+
J/Kg cape in this area is roughly 40%. Forecast soundings from the
most aggressive guidance does feature effective shear in excess of
30 kts in the favorable thermodynamic environment. All that to say
there is a conditional risk for strong to severe thunderstorms near
the Canadian border Wednesday afternoon, though the ingredients have
to come together perfectly for it to happen.

Active Weather Wednesday Evening into Thursday:

Temperatures are not rapid to respond to the cold front at lower
elevations Wednesday evening (At least with respect to becoming cold
enough to result in snow), which looks to delay the onset of snow at
lower elevations til late night. Nevertheless, the gusty winds and
snow that does develop at lower elevations (The best overlap for
this looks to be in northwesterly upslope areas over the plains)
looks to result in localized impacts to travel and infrastructure
through the day Thursday. The trend in amounts with this system has
generally been down slightly over the past day or so at lower
elevations, largely associated with better forcing trending eastward
into eastern Montana. Mountain areas still look to see impactful
snow, with the Little Belts seeing the greatest probability for 9
inches of snow (Greater than 80% at this time).

As for the gusty winds that develop behind the front, forecast
soundings are not overly concerning for high wind criteria.
Localized areas southeast of terrain in Fergus and Blaine counties
will have the greatest probability to see strong winds/gusts. Given
this threat appears localized and not high probability at this time,
no High Wind Watches have been issued. -AM

&&

.AVIATION...
21/18Z TAF Period

Elevated southerly flow aloft becomes established over the
Northern Rockies through Wednesday. The primary impact will be
periods of gusty to strong southerly winds, particularly for KEKS
between 21/12 and 22/00Z. There will be just enough instability
for a few stray showers or storms this evening, but left it out
of the TAFs for now due to probabilities being less than 20% at
all sites. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will then develop
in a southwest to northeast fashion on Wednesday and bring low
VFR/MVFR clouds and the threat of localized wind gusts over 40
kts. KWYS will generally start seeing degraded flight categories
by 22/12Z. - RCG

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  80  50  70  30 /  10  20  60 100
CTB  77  42  67  28 /  10  10  70  90
HLN  81  47  66  34 /  10  10  80 100
BZN  79  43  62  33 /   0  20  60 100
WYS  67  32  47  28 /   0  20  90 100
DLN  74  43  57  34 /   0  10  80  90
HVR  81  49  78  32 /   0  10  30  90
LWT  79  52  70  28 /  10  20  40  90

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday evening through Thursday
afternoon for Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains-Gallatin
and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains-Little
Belt and Highwood Mountains.

Winter Storm Watch from late Wednesday night through Thursday
afternoon for Fergus County below 4500ft-Judith Basin County and
Judith Gap-Snowy and Judith Mountains.

&&

http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls