Montana Braces for Wind-Driven Fire Risk Then a Sharp Switch to Rain and Snow This Weekend
Forecasters warn strong Friday winds will raise fire danger before a Pacific trough could bring heavy mountain snow and valley accumulations that may disrupt travel and power.
Overview
- Warm, dry weather holds Thursday while a Fire Weather Watch covers parts of central and south-central Montana ahead of much stronger winds expected Friday.
- Friday will feature low humidity and gusty winds with sustained breezes along the Rocky Mountain Front and gusts up to 60 mph possible that will elevate the risk of fast-moving wildfires.
- A strong Pacific trough is forecast to move in Saturday and Sunday and bring widespread precipitation with mountain totals of a half foot or more and valley snow heaviest near Helena and the Rocky Mountain Front.
- Forecasters say the system could cause slippery roads, the region's first hard freeze of the season, and wet, heavy snow that may damage tree limbs and cause power outages in leafy low-elevation areas.
- Significant uncertainty remains because models show a complex split-trough pattern and there is a developing chance that moisture from Hurricane Rachel could increase precipitation amounts and shift timing.