WARNING: Really Powerful Winds To Rock Western Montana Tuesday

Montana travelers need to stay on their toes through Wednesday morning for very strong winds for most of western half of the state. Gusts up to 65 mph will be a hazard for dozens of counties.

Montana towns and rural areas alike will be affected by these gusty winds all day Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Towing will be more dangerous and there’s a very good chance of debris or branches on roadways.

• A HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
• WHAT…West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
• WHERE…Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Gates of the Mountains, and Helena Valley.
• WHEN…From Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.
• IMPACTS…Tree damage and isolated power outages are possible given the emergence of foliage.
• Strong crosswinds will cause difficult travel for drivers of high profile vehicles or those towing trailers.
• High winds may move loose debris and damage property.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The most widespread and intense winds are most likely to occur Tuesday afternoon and evening; however, periods of high winds outside of this timeframe are also expected.

Northern Montana will be extremely windy. Extra caution should be used and giving other vehicles plenty of room is a good idea. Expect semi trucks to swerve in the wind. Gusty crosswinds could develop suddenly.

• HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TUESDAY TO NOON MDT WEDNESDAY.
• WHAT…West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
• WHERE…Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton Counties, Hill County, Northern Blaine County, and Western and Central Chouteau County.
• WHEN…From 9 AM Tuesday to noon 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.

• HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM MONDAY EVENING TO NOON WEDNESDAY.
• WHAT…West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected.
• WHERE…Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine County, Cascade County below 5000ft, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, and Fergus County below 4500ft.
• WHEN…From 6 PM Monday evening to noon Wednesday.
• IMPACTS…Tree damage and isolated power outages are expected given the emergence of foliage.
• Strong crosswinds will cause difficult travel for drivers of high profile vehicles or those towing trailers. High winds may move loose debris and damage property.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The most widespread and intense winds are most likely to occur Tuesday afternoon and evening; however, periods of high winds outside of this timeframe are also expected.