Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
239 PM MDT Thu Oct 8 2026

MTZ317-319-322-091245-
/O.NEW.KTFX.WS.A.0008.261011T0000Z-261012T0000Z/
Little Belt and Highwood Mountains-Helena Valley-Elkhorn and
Boulder Mountains-
Including the cities of Montana City, Helena, Wickes, Neihart,
Monarch, Homestake Pass, Elk Park Pass, Kings Hill Pass, Corbin,
Clancy, and Boulder
239 PM MDT Thu Oct 8 2026

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches
  below 5000 feet and between 6 and 12 inches possible above 5000
  feet. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Helena Valley, and Little
  Belt and Highwood Mountains.

* WHEN...From Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult, especially over mountain
  passes. Back country conditions may be very dangerous. Wet snow and
  gusty winds may down trees limbs and power lines.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A snow band may develop across portions of
  Central Montana leading to locally higher snowfall rates and
  amounts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

&&

$$

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
1125 AM MDT Thu Oct 8 2026

MTZ117-118-091200-
/O.UPG.KTFX.FW.A.0006.261009T1800Z-261010T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KTFX.FW.W.0006.261009T1800Z-261010T0300Z/
Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas-
Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest-
1125 AM MDT Thu Oct 8 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR
UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS, AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 117 AND 118...

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Red Flag
Warning for unseasonably warm temperatures, gusty winds, and low
relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 9 PM MDT
Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National
  Forest Areas and Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the
  Helena National Forest.

* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 14 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Up to 82.

* IMPACTS... Any fires that develop will spread rapidly.
  Containment of any ongoing or new fires may be very difficult.
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are
either occurring now, or will shortly.  A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these
areas of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

http://www.weather.gov/tfx

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov