GREAT FALLS — The winds were howling across much of Montana over the weekend.
The continuous battering by the wind on Saturday and Sunday, particularly along the Rocky Mountain Front, yielded some powerful gusts.
The top wind recorded wind speed was at the remote automated weather site (RAWS) at Deep Creek, which is south of East Glacier - 92 miles per hour.
Other recording stations measured peak gusts of:
- 15.2 miles SW DUPUYER: 73 MPH
- 14 miles W BYNUM: 66 MPH
- 5.5 miles NE AUGUSTA: 46 MPH
- DEEP CREEK RAWS: 92 MPH
- 2.1 miles SE BROWNING: 65 MPH
- 1.3 miles E EAST GLACIER PARK: 64 MPH
- SAINT MARY: 58 MPH
- BROWNING: 50 MPH
- 10.2 miles S LOMA: 53 MPH
- 4 miles E CASCADE: 59 MPH
- GREAT FALLS: 46 MPH
Click here to see the complete list at the National Weather Service website.
By Sunday evening, the gusts finally diminished.
Meteorologist Brandon Michaels says that although the winds have died down, we're in for some wintry weather this week, as temperatures will be falling into the 30s Monday, with highs in the 20s and even teens later in the week.
The potential for a snowstorm right around Thanksgiving is the biggest concern at this time. Light snow showers will be possible both Monday and Tuesday.
Heavier snow will develop along the Rocky Mountain Front Tuesday night, and steadily spread eastward, with snow chances lasting all the way through Saturday in Eastern Montana.
Most of the state east of the Divide will likely be seeing accumulating snow on Thanksgiving, which brings the potential for major travel problems.
Parts of the state may also see heavy snow from this system.
It's still too early to put exact numbers on the snowfall, but heavy snow seems likely along the Rocky Mountain Front and in Southeast Montana, with heavy snow possible for parts of Central and Northeast Tuesday night through Saturday.
