Weather
Eastern Montana Wind Alert: Gusts Up to 50 MPH Friday, Nov. 13
Billings, MT – Strong winds are expected to develop across eastern Montana Friday, Nov. 13, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph in some communities before breezy conditions continue into Saturday.
By Sophie Caldwell · 2026-11-12T22:06:07.375Z
Billings, MT – Strong winds are expected to develop across eastern Montana Friday, Nov. 13, with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph in some communities before breezy conditions continue into Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, a forecast issued Thursday, Nov. 12, at 1:40 p.m. indicates that southeasterly winds will strengthen Friday afternoon and continue through Friday night.
Forecasters expect wind gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range to become common across portions of eastern Montana, with isolated gusts reaching approximately 50 mph.
The strongest winds are expected farther east, particularly around Baker, Ekalaka and nearby communities.
Baker and Ekalaka could experience gusts around 40 to 45 mph, while locations farther southeast may see even stronger winds.
Miles City is forecast to experience gusts around 25 to 30 mph, with similar conditions expected near Broadus and Alzada.
Areas around Forsyth and southeastern Montana could see gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph.
Meanwhile, communities farther west, including Billings, Roundup and Hardin, are expected to experience considerably lighter winds, generally around 5 to 15 mph.
The National Weather Service warns that stronger gusts could blow around unsecured outdoor objects, including trash cans, patio furniture and lightweight decorations.
Residents should secure loose belongings before winds increase Friday afternoon.
Motorists traveling across eastern Montana should also remain alert for sudden crosswinds, particularly on exposed highways and open stretches of roadway.
High profile vehicles, including trucks, trailers and recreational vehicles, may be especially vulnerable to stronger gusts.
The windy pattern is expected to continue Saturday, Nov. 14, although conditions should gradually become less intense.
Forecasters anticipate Saturday wind gusts generally ranging from 20 to 30 mph across the same areas.
While the strongest winds are expected Friday afternoon into Friday night, residents should continue monitoring forecast updates for changes in wind speeds and timing.