Key facts
- Alert
- High Wind Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Great Falls MT
- Areas
- Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera; Eastern Toole and Liberty; Southern Rocky Mountain Front; Southern High Plains; East Glacier Park Region; Northern High Plains
- In effect
- until 12:00 AM MDT, Oct 18, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Westerly winds 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph possible.”
NWS Great Falls MT, High Wind Warning, 11:59 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
NWS Great Falls MT, High Wind Warning, 11:59 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.”
NWS Great Falls MT, High Wind Warning, 11:59 PM MDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Secure loose objects such as patio furniture, trash cans and anything else the wind could blow around or damage. Do this before the warning starts at 9 AM Saturday.
If you must drive, take extra care in a high profile vehicle. Strong crosswinds can make steering difficult. Slow down and keep both hands on the wheel.
Stay away from trees and power lines. The National Weather Service says isolated tree damage and power outages are possible, so keep phones and lights charged.
If you plan to visit Glacier National Park, expect difficult conditions, especially over and near higher terrain on the eastern side of the park.
Context
The warning covers the East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole and Central Pondera, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and Southern High Plains. These areas have a history of wind and storm disasters.
FEMA records show a federal disaster declaration for severe winter storm and straight-line winds on 2026-04-07 that covers two of the listed counties. Flood-insurance claims in the records cover only insured properties and reflect flooding, not wind. One county has 8 claims between 1978 and 2012, and another has 1 claim in 1982.
Updates
- The high wind warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service expanded the high wind warning to more areas. It is in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM MDT.
- NWS Great Falls MT issued the high wind warning until 12:00 AM MDT.
History here
This county: 8 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2012.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4902 (2026): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4271 (2016): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-1996 (2011): severe storms and flooding
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4902 (2026): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4801 (2024): severe winter storm and flooding
- DR-4388 (2018): flooding
- DR-4271 (2016): severe winter storm and straight-line winds
- DR-4172 (2014): ice jams and flooding
This county: 1 flood insurance claim in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1982, most recent 1982.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a High Wind Warning in north-central Montana?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Great Falls issued a High Wind Warning for the East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, Central Pondera, Southern Rocky Mountain Front and Southern High Plains.
- When does the High Wind Warning start and end?
- It runs from 9 AM Saturday to midnight MDT Saturday night. The warning was issued at 12:23 PM MDT on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- How strong will the wind be?
- The National Weather Service expects westerly winds of 30 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Sources
- NWS Great Falls MT: High Wind Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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