Miles City, MT – Strong thunderstorms are expected to sweep across eastern Montana Sunday evening, threatening damaging winds and dangerous lightning in a dozen counties through midnight.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 12:00 a.m. MDT for Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Treasure, and Wibaux counties. Residents in these areas should prepare for rapidly changing weather, with the most intense storms likely between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Custer and Dawson counties, including key travel routes like Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 12, could see gusts topping 60 mph, downed trees, and isolated power outages. Emergency managers urge residents to secure outdoor objects, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep mobile devices charged in case of outages. In Rosebud and Richland counties, strong winds may damage property and lead to scattered utility disruptions, while heavy downpours could cause ponding on roadways.
Conditions may evolve quickly, and additional warnings or advisories are possible overnight. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for all listed counties until midnight. Residents are advised to monitor local alerts for updates and be ready to seek shelter if warnings are issued.
