BOZEMAN – A strong pressure gradient is producing strong surface winds across Montana today. A dry cold front is sliding down the jet stream through northern and eastern Montana counties today producing the strong surface gradient.
The combination of warm, dry, and wind will keep fire danger very high to extreme through at least sunset Wednesday. A RED FLAG WARNING is up through 6 pm tonight for most of Montana east of the divide.
The Butte/Blackfoot region is under a WIND ADVISORY through 8 pm Wednesday evening. West winds sustained between 25 to 35 mph and gusting at times over 40 mph.
Watch for blowing dust, tree limbs falling on power-lines, high profile vehicles will encounter difficult travel conditions especially on I-90 between Butte and Deer Lodge with strong crosswinds.
High-pressure will gain more strength over the region Thursday through Saturday producing above normal temperatures and mostly dry conditions. The next weather maker will be another cold front to impact the state late Saturday. Cooler temperatures and a few showers are possible heading into Sunday and Labor Day.
There could be some light snow over higher terrain Monday into Tuesday along the Rocky mountain front and Continental Divide. Valley temperatures will trend much cooler Monday and Tuesday of next week and morning lows could fall down into the 30s.
