Back to Rain, and Wind in Montana This Week

Parts of Northwest Montana remain under a flash flood watch as heavy rains are expected to return this week, especially near Libby, where engineers are dropping water levels behind the Flower Creek diversion dam as a precaution.

Authorities started a controlled release of water from the dam Sunday evening, as a precaution to reduce some of the pressure if the area gets more heavy runoff from the returning storms.

That flash flood warning covers most of the Kootenai-Cabinet area, down to the Lower Clark Fork, east to the Flathead, and into Northern Idaho.

READ MORE: Libby Nailed by Record Rains 

Damaging winds return

Meanwhile, winds have already picked up from the Rocky Mountain Front out to Great Falls and parts of the HiLine this afternoon.

The Deep Creek weather station west of Browning recorded a 76-mile-per-hour gust, and over 60 miles per hour in Cutbank today. Livingston is also seeing gusts over 50 miles per hour. The National Weather Service warns winds along the Northern Front could gust around 85 miles per hour or more through tonight and into Tuesday.

It's winter in Yellowstone

It may feel more likely early fall again today, but Monday marks the official start of the winter season in Yellowstone National Park.

That means tour operators can start guiding trips on snowmobiles and snow coaches on the park's interior roads. Although so far, snow totals might limit some of that travel… a situation likely to change with the colder weather returning this week.

   ❄️ Travel along the Northside of the park between Mammoth and Cooke City is open to vehicles year-round.

Authorities investigating Flathead kidnapping attempt

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is seeking help trying to identify and locate the man who apparently tried to kidnap a woman outside a local convenience store last week.

Authorities say a woman reported a man approached her and tried to rob and kidnap her while she was sitting in her parked vehicle Thursday night at Woody's gas station north of Creston.

     The suspect, described as being in his 40s, was balding with a ponytail and drove off on Highway 35 after the confrontation.

Rare December motorcycle fatality

Missoula Police are saying it was a 32-year-old man who was killed when his motorcycle collided with a van over the weekend.

The accident happened around 1 pm on West Broadway when the van and bike tangled in an intersection. A witness started CPR on the victim, and paramedics continued efforts when they arrived, but the rider died from his injuries.

     The crash remains under investigation.

Big game ticket scramble underway in MT

The scramble for tickets to the repeat showdown between the Grizzlies and Bobcats is underway, with MSU fans having an advantage because of the NCAA rules only allowing limited tickets for visiting teams. Starting this morning, Griz Quarterback Club, suite, and club members will get their chance, followed by students, season ticket holders, and finally the general public on Tuesday. Cat fans will have until 5 pm today to confirm tickets and ask for others, with a pre-sale on Monday morning. All details on the team's pages.