A HIGH WIND WATCH is in effect for areas off of the Rocky Mountain Front from Tuesday through Wednesday. Strong wind has developed with some gusts near East Glacier already reaching 55mph. Sustained wind of 20-45mph with gusts up to 75mph are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. Although the watch area is limited to adjacent areas to the Rocky Mountain Front, most of Montana’s plains will have gusty winds for most of this week. Areas that will not have much wind will be the valley locations of western Montana including the Capital, where minor inversions will limit wind which will trap cooler air in the valleys. Otherwise, chinook wind will warm temperatures for northcentral and central Montana into the 40s and even 50s. Snow from last weekend will be melting over the next few days. The next snow event will come through Friday, as a Canadian cold front brings widespread light snow and much colder temperatures. Generally, this snow should accumulate 1-3″ in the valleys and plains, but as much as 10″ in the mountains. The storm, clouds and snow will clear by Saturday, and most of the state will be sunny and cold. Another chinook event will begin to develop on Sunday with wind for the plains. Looking long range, temperatures will be mild with little to no snow which should make for fairly easy travel in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Have a great day!
Curtis Grevenitz
