MISSOULA – A strong cold front will cause winds to pick up quickly this afternoon and evening.

Wind gusts between 40 mph and 80 mph are possible for the Flathead, Mission, Missoula and Bitterroot valleys and 80 mph to 60 mph for Glacier National Park, Seeley/Swan Valley, I-90 corridor east of Missoula along with Georgetown Lake and Philipsburg.

A wind advisory is in effect for northwestern Montana along the Montana-Idaho border, with gusts of 20 to 40 miles per hour possible.

Scattered showers will also develop this evening as the front passes.

The rain showers will clear on Friday evening, leading to a sunny and dry weekend. Highs will be in the 60s on Saturday and in the 60s and 70s on Sunday.

High pressure will remain in effect until the middle of next week, while temperatures will remain in the upper 60s to mid 70s.