FROST ADVISORY through 9 AM for Flathead Lake, Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, Polson, Bitterroot Valley, and Missoula. Temperatures ranging from the upper 20s to lower 30s will result in frost formation. Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
RED FLAG WARNING from 1 PM Friday until 9 PM Saturday for Deerlodge/Beaverhead. The combination of gusty winds and low humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions. An exceptional fire weather event is taking shape Saturday. Strong and potentially damaging winds are expected. Use extra caution with potential ignition sources, especially in grassy areas. Southwest to west winds gusting between 30 to 40 mph on Friday increasing to 50 to 60 mph on Saturday.
RED FLAG WARNING Saturday for the Gallatin National Forest and into eastern Montana. Low humidities, hot temperatures, strong gusty winds and wind shift with a cold front will create erratic fire behavior and new fire starts. Southwest 15 to 25 mph, with gusts 25 to 40 mph. Locally stronger gusts in the western foothills and mountains. Humidity as low as 10%.
HIGH WIND WATCH on Saturday for the Rocky Mountain Front, Beaverhead, Eastern Glacier, Cascade, Central and Southern Lewis and Clark, Madison, Toole, Jefferson, Broadwater, Meagher and Gallatin Counties. Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph possible. Gusts up to 75 mph possible along the Rocky Mountain Front.
Today will feature highs in the 70s with breezy conditions across western Montana. Elevated fire weather is expected across southwest Montana.
Tomorrow has the potential for damaging winds in the higher terrain and across southwest Montana. Time to secure any outdoor items! Winds gusting to 50 mph or higher are anticipated, which could cause damage to trees/power lines/personal property. Critical fire weather is also expected across southwest Montana.
Meanwhile, rain will begin Saturday PM for northwest Montana. By Sunday, widespread scattered showers are expected area wide. Snow levels will drop in the Bitterroots and southwestern mountains to at least 6,500 ft, if not lower. This could lead to snow accumulating through Monday morning on southwest Montana mountain passes, including Lost Trail Pass. Be sure to stay up to date!