BOZEMAN – Strong surface winds will continue Tuesday into Wednesday across Montana.
A powerful Polar Jet Stream aloft with upper levels winds over 100 mph is creating strong wind gusts down at the surface. A zonal flow is also paving the way for several Pacific storm systems to quickly pass through the state producing wind and mountain snow with a little valley rain.
These storms are passing in and out so fast they will not have a chance to produce moderate to heavy precipitation but there will be some moisture reaching the ground and some mountain passes may see minor snow accumulations with gusty winds producing slow-go travel.
Damaging wind gusts are the primary concern in the forecast through this evening and again Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has a HIGH WIND WARNING up through 6 pm Monday night for Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, Broadwater, and Meagher counties in SW Montana.
Sustained winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to or over 60 mph is likely.
The National Weather Service has a WIND ADVISORY up for the Butte/Blackfoot region through 6 pm Monday.
Sustained winds 20 to 30 with gusts up to 50 mph are likely.
The National Weather Service has a HIGH WIND WATCH up from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. This includes most of central Montana and locally: Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, Broadwater and Meagher counties.
A “watch” means conditions look favorable for damaging wind gusts and this watch will be upgraded to either a high wind warning or a wind advisory soon.
Expected winds out of the WSW 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to or over 60 mph are possible.
