Strong winds have returned to central Montana today - especially for those along and just east of the Rocky Mountain Front.
High Wind Warnings continue until 11pm for Broadwater, Cascade, Judith Basin, Meagher, Toole, eastern Pondera, eastern Teton, and central/southern Lewis & Clark Counties for southwest winds of 30-40mph with gusts up to 60mph.
There's also a High Wind Warning for the Rocky Mountain Front and eastern Glacier County for southwest winds of 35-45mph and gusts up to 75mph.
These winds could create difficult travel conditions - especially for high profile vehicles. They could also blow around loose objects, possibly cause property damage and may even cause a few power outages particularly for folks along the Rocky Mountain Front and in the Cut Bank area.
Due to blowing/drifting snow with reduced visibilities, a Winter Weather Advisory is also out for the northern Rocky Mountain Front (including Marias Pass) trough 5am Friday. If whiteout conditions should develop, the National Weather Service will opt for a Blizzard Warning in this region. Stay tuned on that!
Winds will decrease a bit overnight and into Friday with isolated snow showers at times in southwest Montana and along the Divide, but overall, a partly to mostly cloudy day is expected with highs in the upper 30s.
More widespread light snowfall is on tap Friday evening into Saturday across most of the region with light accumulations (1"-3") possible as a cold front passes through. Highs will only top out in the mid 20s to low 30s for Saturday, but rebound nicely for Sunday into the upper 30s to mid 40s (with a LOT more sunshine)!
Warmer (40s) and drier conditions look to persist into the first half of next week.
