Weather Warnings for Montana

Issued by the National Weather Service

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Montana
Alerts Updated: March 23, 2026, 7:14 pm  UTC


Fire Weather Watch issued March 23 at 1:13PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT

Summary: The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, strong gusty winds, and wind shift with a cold front may create erratic fire behavior and the potential for new fire starts. * AFFECTED AREA: In South Central MT Fire Zones...123...124...125. For Zone 123, the worst conditions will impact the lower elevations where grasses remain dead or dry. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central MT...Wheatland. In South Central MT...Park...Stillwater...Sweet Grass. In Southwest MT...Gallatin. * COLD FRONT: Frontal passage is forecast Wednesday evening, bringing an end to the strongest gusts and a shift from the west to the north-northeast. Light showers are possible behind the front, although the chance of a wetting rain is low. * WIND: West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, strongest from Livingston to Big Timber and north through Harlowton. * HUMIDITY: As low as 15 percent. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 75 degrees.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 1:13 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 1:15 pm
Area:  Gallatin National Forest; Wheatland County/Sweet Grass County; Stillwater County


Fire Weather Watch issued March 23 at 1:13PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT

Summary: The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, gusty winds, and wind shift with a cold front may create erratic fire behavior and the potential for new fire starts. * AFFECTED AREA: In North Central WY Fire Zone...274. In South Central MT Fire Zones...126...127...128...129. For Zones 126, 127, and 129, the worst conditions will impact the lower elevations where grasses remain dead or dry. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central MT...Golden Valley...Musselshell. In North Central WY...Sheridan. In South Central MT...Big Horn...Carbon...Park...Stillwater Sweet Grass...Yellowstone. * COLD FRONT: Frontal passage is forecast Wednesday evening, bringing an end to the gusty conditions and a shift from the west to the north-northeast. Light showers are possible behind the front, although the chance of a wetting rain is low. * WIND: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 15 percent. In Sheridan County, as low as 7 percent. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 83 degrees.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 1:13 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 1:15 pm
Area:  Beartooth Ranger District Custer National Forest; Golden Valley County/Musselshell County; Yellowstone County; Crow Indian Reservation/Big Horn Canyon Rec Area; Sheridan County/Casper BLM


Fire Weather Watch issued March 23 at 1:00PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

Summary: The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest below the snow line. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, strongest in southern portions of the district. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent. * IMPACTS... New or existing fires/starts could be difficult to contain.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 1:00 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 4:00 am
Area:  Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest


High Wind Watch issued March 23 at 12:18PM MDT until March 25 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

Summary: * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph possible. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, and Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties. * WHEN...From late Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause isolated power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 12:18 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 6:15 am
Area:  Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera; Eastern Toole and Liberty


High Wind Watch issued March 23 at 12:18PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

Summary: * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft, Missouri Headwaters, and Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause isolated power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 12:18 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 6:15 am
Area:  Missouri Headwaters; Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft; Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains


High Wind Watch issued March 23 at 12:18PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

Summary: * WHAT...West winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Hill County and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 12:18 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 6:15 am
Area:  Hill County; Northern Blaine County


High Wind Watch issued March 23 at 12:18PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

Summary: * WHAT...Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Gallatin Valley, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, and Madison River Valley. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause isolated power outages. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 12:18 pm      Expires:  March 24, 2026, 6:15 am
Area:  Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains; Madison River Valley; Gallatin Valley; Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains


Fire Weather Watch issued March 23 at 11:13AM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Summary: The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Zone 111 East Beaverhead below 7500 feet. * TIMING...From Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 19 percent. * IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.
Severity:  Severe    Effective:  March 23, 2026, 11:13 am      Expires:  March 23, 2026, 7:15 pm
Area:  Eastern Beaverhead National Forest