We are tracking quite the active day for weather in the Treasure State.
Snow will move in through western parts of the state by this afternoon.
Highest accumulations will be through Marias and Logan Pass and parts of the Northern Rocky Mountain Front.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for areas west of the Continental Divide.
Wind is picking up again later this morning for almost all of West and Central Montana.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for areas across the Northwest this morning, and a High Wind Watch has been issued for Central Montana.
Even though the Plains will not see significant snow accumulation, wind will be in the forecast for the rest of the week.
High wind, coupled with significant snow accumulation, along the northern part of the Rocky Mountain Front has prompted the first Blizzard Warning of the season to be issued until tomorrow morning.
Blizzard Warning:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 319 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 MTZ009-120000- /O.EXT.KTFX.BZ.W.0007.181211T2100Z-181212T1800Z/ Northern Rocky Mountain Front- Including Marias Pass 319 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 ...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches at Marias Pass, with 1 to 4 inches at East Glacier, are expected. Winds gusting as high as 80 mph in wind favored areas. * WHERE...Northern Rocky Mountain Front. * WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM MST Wednesday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS......Travel could be very difficult to near impossible. If traveling on United States Highway 2 from East Glacier to Marias Pass or United States Highway 89 from Kiowa to Saint Mary, consider delaying travel if possible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
High Wind Warning:
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 333 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 Default overview section MTZ009-010-048-120000- /O.CON.KTFX.HW.W.0010.181211T1500Z-181212T1800Z/ Northern Rocky Mountain Front-Eastern Glacier- Southern Rocky Mountain Front- Including Logan Pass, Marias Pass, Browning, Heart Butte, Cut Bank, Bynum, Choteau, and Augusta 333 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 AM MST WEDNESDAY... * WINDS...Southwest 35 to 45 mph. Gusts up to 80 mph are possible along the immediate Rocky Mountain Front and up to 65 mph out onto the plains. * TIMING...Winds will continue to increase along the Rocky Mountain Front and over the immediate eastern plains this morning. These strong winds are then expected to peak during the late afternoon hours today and into the early morning hours on Wednesday, before slowly dissipating. * IMPACTS...Winds will combine with snow to produce blizzard conditions at times along and west of an East Glacier to Babb line in Glacier County. Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles and light weight trailers. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph, or gusts of 58 mph or more, can lead to property damage.
High Wind Watch:
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 333 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 Default overview section MTZ011>013-044>047-049>051-120000- /O.NEW.KTFX.HW.A.0010.181212T1300Z-181213T0000Z/ Hill-Cascade-Chouteau-Toole-Liberty-Eastern Pondera-Blaine- Eastern Teton-Judith Basin-Fergus- Including Havre, Rocky Boy, Rudyard, Great Falls, Cascade, Belt, Kings Hill Pass, Fort Benton, Carter, Big Sandy, Shelby, Sunburst, Chester, Whitlash, Brady, Conrad, Chinook, Harlem, Hays, Fairfield, Dutton, Raynesford, Stanford, Hobson, Lewistown, Winifred, Lewistown Divide, and Grass Range 333 AM MST Tue Dec 11 2018 ...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a High Wind Watch, which is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday afternoon. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. * TIMING...Breezy and gusty winds Tuesday night will begin to increase further Wednesday morning. These strong winds are then expected to peak during the early afternoon hours on Wednesday, before gradually dissipating into the evening hours on Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Some power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles and light weight trailers. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A High Wind Watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph, or gusts of 58 mph or stronger, may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.