Wind advisory issued for Flathead Lake

Exceptionally windy weather is expected across much of Western Montana on Wednesday with gusts up to 40 mph in the Flathead Valley likely.

A wind advisory was issued for the Flathead and Mission valleys beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday and lasting until 9 p.m. The Kootenai and Cabinet region also is under an advisory.

According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, winds will pick up Wednesday morning and increase into the afternoon. Wind gusts in the 30 and 40 mph range will be common. Flathead Lake will be “choppy and unrelenting” with waves from 3 to 5 feet.

Tree damage is possible, the Weather Service warns, and crosswinds could create hazardous driving conditions.

Mountain passes along the Continental Divide, such as Marias Pass south of Glacier National Park, could see gusts up to 50 mph. The Rocky Mountain Front is forecast to have gusts up to 80 mph.

Winds should decrease after sunset. A chance of rain returns for Thursday with lows in the 40s and highs in the upper 50s for the Flathead.