The extreme wind is expected to begin letting up overnight.
The trade off however, will be snow and cold. A cold front will push through the state overnight.
This system is expected to kick off some mountain snow and a few flurries in the plains. Most of our area should see less than an inch of accumulation.
South Central Montana will see the greatest totals, likely picking up a few inches. Temperatures will drop significantly following the passage of this front.
Daytime highs on Sunday will remain in the high 30s with even colder temperatures on Monday.
Temperatures are expected to gradually warm back up as the week plays out.
(10:46 am) Powerful winds are once again rocking parts of north-central Montana, particularly along and east of the northern Rocky Mountain Front. On Saturday morning, the National Weather Service in Great Falls reported a gust of 106 miles per hour at the Deep Creek weather station in Glacier County.
Babb recorded a wind gust of 92 miles per hour, and Browning had one recorded at 89 miles per hour. Other recorded gusts include Cut Bank Airport at 78 mph, Choteau at 74 mph, Rogers Pass at 65 mph, and Great Falls and Cascade both at 63 mph.
The strong winds are expected to continue throughout the day, and a Red Flag Warning will be in effect for much of the area throughout Saturday. The combination of warm, dry air, coupled with strong winds and minimal snow cover will lead to an increased risk of grassland fires. The NWS said: "Please be mindful of any activity that could create a spark under these critical fire weather conditions."
