High wind warnings and watches issued for parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple high wind warnings and watches across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies on Monday, December 15, 2025, as a strong surface low-pressure system moved into the region. The alerts cover parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, and remain in effect through Wednesday afternoon, December 17, with sustained winds of 40–70 km/h (25–45 mph) and gusts exceeding 110 km/h (70 mph) forecast in exposed and mountainous areas.
Image credit: The Watchers
A surface low-pressure system is forecast to produce heavy rain and strong winds in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies today. There’s a slight risk of flash floods in western Washington and northwestern Oregon because of unstable conditions and already saturated ground from the recent historic floods.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of high wind warnings and watches covering much of the northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest, extending through Wednesday afternoon, December 17.
Warnings and watches are in effect for parts of Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, northern Oregon, and Wyoming. Southwest winds of 40–70 km/h (25–45 mph) with gusts up to 110 km/h (70 mph) are forecast across mountain passes and exposed areas.
A High Wind Warning for the North Snowy Range Foothills of southern Wyoming, including the communities of Elk Mountain and Arlington.
The warning is in effect from 17:00 MST (00:00 UTC) on Monday until 15:00 MST (22:00 UTC) on Tuesday. Sustained west winds of 50–70 km/h (30–45 mph) with gusts around 105 km/h (65 mph) are forecast. The agency said strong crosswinds will make travel hazardous for lightweight or high-profile vehicles, including campers and tractor-trailers, particularly along I-80.
In eastern Washington and northern Idaho, a Wind Advisory remains in effect from 13:00 PST (21:00 UTC) on Monday until 06:00 PST (14:00 UTC) on Tuesday, followed by a High Wind Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon. Southwest winds are forecast at 40–70 km/h (25–45 mph) with gusts up to 95 km/h (60 mph); isolated ridgetop gusts may reach 115 km/h (70 mph), especially in the Northern Panhandle, Okanogan Highlands, Central Chelan County, and the Wenatchee area.
Across Oregon and southern Washington, high wind watches cover the Columbia Basin, Columbia River Gorge, Blue Mountain foothills, and Kittitas and Yakima valleys. Winds of 40–55 km/h (25–35 mph) and gusts up to 95 km/h (60 mph) are expected from Tuesday evening into Wednesday.
In Montana, multiple NWS offices have issued sequential warnings and watches extending from Monday afternoon through Wednesday evening. The strongest winds are forecast along the Rocky Mountain Front, the Livingston and Beartooth foothills, and the Crazy Mountains, where gusts may reach 135 km/h (85 mph). The Great Falls and Billings offices warn that several high-wind periods are likely as successive disturbances cross the northern Rockies.
The East Glacier Park region and adjacent plains may experience gusts up to 135 km/h (85 mph) during the most intense phase. Similar conditions are expected in Cascade, Judith Basin, and Fergus counties, with dangerous crosswinds expected along Interstate 90 between Livingston and Big Timber. The Livingston and Beartooth foothills remain under a Wind Advisory through 17:00 MST on Monday (00:00 UTC on Tuesday), followed by a High Wind Watch through Tuesday morning.
Further west, in the Missoula and Salmon River regions, southwest winds of 40–65 km/h (25–40 mph) with gusts over 95 km/h (60 mph) are possible from Tuesday night through Wednesday. Mountain passes and high valleys may also experience bursts of heavy snow and winter travel conditions.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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