Skip to main content
Day.News — Local News. Real Community.
LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY DAY NEWS
Local News. Real Community.
weather
1 min read

Blowing Dust Reduces Visibility Across Northern and Central Montana

A Special Weather Statement has been issued by the NWS Great Falls MT for Northern and Central Montana due to blowing dust reducing visibility until 4:00 PM MDT today. Drivers should slow down and use low beam headlights.

Staff Writer
10/09/2026 · Lewis and Clark County edition

Drivers in Northern and Central Montana are advised to slow down and allow extra spacing between vehicles due to reduced visibility caused by blowing dust. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Great Falls has issued a Special Weather Statement effective immediately, October 9, 2026, at 12:53 PM MDT, expiring at 4:00 PM MDT today.

Westerly winds gusting between 30 and 50 mph are creating areas of blowing dust. This will lead to reductions in visibility, potentially down to 3 miles, with some localized areas experiencing even lower visibility.

Affected areas include the Northern High Plains; Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties; Southern High Plains; Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton Counties; Western and Central Chouteau County; Cascade County below 5000ft; Judith Basin County and Judith Gap; Fergus County below 4500ft; and the Gates of the Mountains.

If you encounter areas of reduced visibility, turn on your low beam headlights for safety.

Related Topics

Editorial Transparency
Source not recorded

Article Ratings

Factual
0.0
Likeable
0.0
Bias
0.0
Objective
0.0

How do you feel about this story?

Discussion (0)

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation

Sign in to share your thoughts, reply to readers, and like comments.

Sign in to comment
Sort by:
0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Trending Now

Trending stories will appear here.

More from Lewis and Clark County

No other local stories are available right now.

Events & Things to Do

Read section →

Upcoming events will appear here.

Keep Reading

Related Stories

More weather stories from Lewis and Clark County

weather

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snow, Gusty Winds Expected Through Monday

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Southern Rocky Mountain Front, Southern High Plains, Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass, and Gates of the Mountains, with heavy snow and gusty winds expected from Friday afternoon through Monday morning.

Read Story →
weather

Winter Weather Advisory Issued: Snow and High Winds Expected

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for central and southwest Montana from tonight until Monday morning, with snow accumulations of 2-8 inches and wind gusts up to 40 mph expected, potentially impacting travel and causing power outages.

Read Story →
weather

Winter Storm Warning: Big Belt, Bridger, Castle Mountains Brace for Heavy Snow

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Big Belt, Bridger, and Castle Mountains from this evening until Monday morning, with heavy snow and strong winds expected to cause difficult travel and potential power outages.

Read Story →
weather

Red Flag Warning Issued for Lewis and Clark, Helena National Forest Areas

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the NWS Great Falls for Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas and parts of the Helena National Forest, effective until 9:00 PM MDT tonight, due to critical fire weather conditions.

Read Story →
weather

Red Flag Warning Issued: Extreme Fire Danger in Central MT

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Central and Eastern Lewis and Clark National Forest Areas and the Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts due to high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures, effective until 9 PM MDT today.

Read Story →
weather

Winter Storm Warning Issued for Big Belt, Bridger, and Castle Mountains

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Big Belt, Bridger, and Castle Mountains, effective Saturday, October 10, at 6:00 PM MDT, through Monday, October 12, at 6:00 AM MDT, with heavy snow and gusty winds expected.

Read Story →
Scroll for more stories