Damaging winds predicted for weekend

In 2006, wind gusts at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park reached a whopping 133 miles per hour. The Park and high country across Montana and Idaho could see similar conditions starting tonight and into Saturday, the National Weather Service is warning.

The Flathead Valley is expected to see wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and mountain passes should expect whiteout conditions, including Marias Pass.

Passes farther south could see up to two feet of snow and blizzard conditions as the front blows through.

Temperatures should be warm ahead of the front with highs in the 40s and even close to 50 in Missoula. Precipitation will first fall as rain and then transition to snow as temperatures drop into the 20s and 30s by Sunday. High winds will cause problems with trees, powerlines and high profile vehicles like semi-tractor trailer trucks.

Snow bands should set up Sunday with a few inches in the valleys and a foot or more in the mountains. The high winds and snow are also expected to ramp up the avalanche danger.

The temperatures aren’t expected to cool significantly, however. Highs will remain in 30s through next week and it will remain breezy through Monday. By Tuesday winds should diminish with a chance of rain or snow.