Great Falls, MT — A High Wind Warning will bring damaging winds up to 85 mph across northwest Montana beginning early Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Great Falls, strong westerly winds are expected to intensify along the Rocky Mountain Front and nearby plains starting 2 a.m. MST Saturday, continuing through midnight MDT Sunday night.
Forecasters say sustained winds will range from 40 to 60 mph, with gusts reaching up to 85 mph across parts of the region. Along the immediate eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Front, isolated gusts exceeding 100 mph are possible.
The warning covers the East Glacier Park region, Northern High Plains, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole and Central Pondera counties, as well as the Southern Rocky Mountain Front and Southern High Plains.
Communities in the affected area include Browning, Cut Bank, Choteau, East Glacier Park, Babb, Dupuyer, Bynum, Pendroy, and Saint Mary, along with travel corridors near Marias Pass and Rogers Pass.
The National Weather Service warns that the winds may cause significant impacts across the region. Strong gusts could blow down trees and power lines, increasing the likelihood of power outages.
Travel may become difficult to dangerous, especially for high-profile vehicles such as trucks, vans, and RVs traveling along exposed highways near the Rocky Mountain Front.
Officials urge residents to secure loose outdoor objects that could be blown around or damaged during the wind event. Drivers are also advised to consider delaying travel during the strongest winds or seek alternate routes if possible.
Wind-prone areas along the eastern slopes of the Rockies are historically vulnerable to powerful downslope wind events capable of producing extreme gusts.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve after the warning expires late Sunday night.
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