Warm Stretch Holds Through Saturday as Pacific Storm Targets Mountains, Triggers Foothill High-Wind Threat

Overview

• High pressure keeps the region warm and dry through Saturday, with many locations in the 60s and some spots east of Billings reaching the low 70s.
• A Pacific trough and cold front move in by early Sunday, shifting to cooler, unsettled weather through early next week.
• Gap-flow winds develop late Friday into Saturday, with Livingston and Nye favored for gusts over 50 mph and a notable chance of 60-plus mph.
• Precipitation focuses on higher terrain near the Montana–Idaho border, where liquid totals near 0.50–1.00 inch are likely by Sunday morning.
• Snow levels fall from 6,000–7,000 feet Saturday to roughly 3,000–4,500 feet by Monday, bringing significant snow above 6,000 feet and a few inches on Lolo, Lookout, Lost Trail, and Marias passes, while valley accumulation chances remain low.