Key facts
- Alert
- High Wind Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Great Falls MT
- Areas
- Fergus County below 4500ft
- In effect
- until 9:00 PM MDT, Oct 23, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.”
NWS Great Falls MT, High Wind Warning, 8:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
“Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
NWS Great Falls MT, High Wind Warning, 8:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 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, 8:46 PM MDT Oct 23, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Secure loose objects such as patio furniture, trash cans and garden items before the wind picks up. Anything left outside could be blown around or damaged.
If you must drive, use extra caution, especially in a high-profile vehicle. The National Weather Service says travel will be difficult. Slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel.
Stay away from trees and power lines, which can come down in strong gusts. Check the National Weather Service for updates until the warning ends at 9:00 PM MDT Friday.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 27 claims in Fergus County between 1978 and 2023, and 8 claims in another county covered by this warning between 1978 and 2012. These counts cover only insured flood losses, so they do not show wind damage or uninsured losses.
Several counties in the warned area have had FEMA disaster declarations. One for a severe winter storm and straight-line winds was issued on 2026-04-07. That shows strong wind has caused serious problems in this part of Montana before.
Updates
- The high wind warning expired at 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 6:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 3:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 3:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the high wind warning until 3:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 3:00 PM MDT.
- NWS Great Falls MT issued the high wind warning until 9:00 PM MDT.
History here
This county: 27 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2023.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4801 (2024): severe winter storm and flooding
- DR-4745 (2023): flooding
- DR-4127 (2013): flooding
- DR-1996 (2011): severe storms and flooding
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
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Questions
- Is there a High Wind Warning in Fergus County, Montana?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Great Falls has a High Wind Warning for Fergus County below 4500ft. It lasts from noon to 9:00 PM MDT Friday.
- How strong will the wind be?
- The National Weather Service expects northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
- What areas are under the warning?
- The warning covers Fergus County below 4500ft, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, Central Pondera, Eastern Toole and Liberty, and Hill County.
Sources
- NWS Great Falls MT: High Wind Warning, Oct 23, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.