BOZEMAN – A repeat weather pattern will be developing Friday through Sunday. Another strong surface cold front clashing with a High-pressure ridge will produce very warm temperatures Friday along with very strong surface winds. Similar to what we saw on Tuesday this week.
The cold front will pass through Montana from North to South Friday night through Saturday morning. Watch for wind and rain to increase from Butte to Bozeman after 6 pm Friday and rain to change over to snow by Saturday morning.
Behind the cold front temperatures will turning colder Saturday and continue to stay well below normal all weekend and into most of next week.
Snow is not expected to be heavy with this cold front but travel concerns will develop by Saturday morning with the colder air digging into the state. Wet roads will likely become icy by Saturday morning and localized wind gusts to or over 20 mph are possible.
HIGH WIND EVENT
A strong pressure gradient will develop Thursday evening into Friday morning along the Rocky mountain front and slowly dig into SW Montana by Friday afternoon.
HIGH WIND WATCH
The National Weather Service issued a HIGH WIND WATCH for Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties Friday afternoon and evening. Increasing surface winds 20-40 mph by afternoon and peak gusts 50-60 mph.
Areas of greatest concern will high wind prone regions like: Ennis, Norris Hill, Whitehall to Three Forks, Townsend, and Bozeman pass.
WIND ADVISORY
The National Weather Service has issued a WIND ADVISORY for the upper Yellowstone region including Livingston Thursday night through Friday night.
Livingston and I-90 will see surface winds increase tonight 30 to 40 mph and gusting at times to or over 60 mph. If the wind gusts are too strong I-90 could be closed with traffic detoured through Livingston.
HIGH WIND WARNING
The National Weather Service issued a HIGH WIND WARNING for north-central Montana. Along the Rocky mountain front and adjacent plains Friday morning through Friday evening.
Sustained winds 35 to 45 mph are likely with gusts between 60 to 80 mph at times. This includes I-15 from Helena to Great Falls up to the Canadian line.
TRAVEL CONCERNS
SW Montana will see warm 60s Friday and strong surface wind gusts which could be a problem for high profile vehicles. As the cold front moves in Friday evening with rain and wind area roads will become wet. Temperatures will drop rapidly by Saturday morning with areas of scattered snow.
Biggest travel concerns will be wet roads turning icy by Saturday morning with localized wind gusts over 20 mph. Temperatures will be well below normal starting Saturday.
