Widespread and strong winds will affect the area late tonight through Sunday with High Wind Warnings in place for most of the viewing area.
The strongest winds are expected early in the day with gusts to 70mph possible across a significant portion of north-central Montana and gusts in excess of 80mph likely along the Rocky Mountain Front.
Madison, Jefferson, Broadwater & Gallatin Co.’s High Wind Warnings are in place from 2am - 5pm Sunday where gusts in the 50-60mph range are likely. The Livingston area and Beartooth Foothills Warnings are out until midnight Sunday where gusts look to approach 70-80mph.
In addition to the strong crosswinds, areas of blowing/drifting snow are possible in the mountains and blowing dust is possible on the plains with the stronger winds on Sunday.
Sunday will showcase lightly scattered rain and snow for our valleys with a greater chance Monday and Tuesday. With that said, highs will be well into the 40s Sunday and Monday before dropping into the 30s Tuesday behind a strong cold front. Our best chance of seeing accumulating snow looks to be Tuesday afternoon.
A more stable and quiet weather pattern will move in by Wednesday with highs in the upper 20s and lows in the single digits to low teens.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, look for partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid 30s.
