A dynamic winter storm is impacting the region today as a Pacific storm system interacts with an Arctic front. As the front sags south and west through the region, we will see rapidly dropping temperatures that will cause a flash freeze on roadways and result in a rapid switch in moisture from rain to snow where is has not already occurred. Additionally, this front will be capable of winds up to 40 mph. Intense snow squalls will be possible in areas where this moisture meets the arctic air. This would include the Flathead and Mission Valleys, along US-2 from West Glacier to Marias Pass, parts of the I-90/US-93/Hwy 200 corridors and across southwest Montana. These could produce heavy bursts of snow and significantly reduced visibilities on top of already icy or snow-covered roads. Travel could rapidly become treacherous, so if you can delay travel until Saturday, consider doing so. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect are areas along the divide from Glacier National Park down to the mountains around Butte where 4-8+ inches of additional snow are possible. Much of the remainder of the area is under a Winter Weather Advisory. On average, most valleys will receive 1-4 inches of snowfall with a few localized heavier totals, such as around Bozeman. Additional snow bands may develop across west-central Montana later this evening, but confidence in this solution is low,
Saturday will be colder with mostly dry conditions, though a weak disturbance will more light snow into parts of the area. Daytime highs will be in the 20s with overnight lows in the single digits and 10s. A few areas may even fall below zero. As we continue into next week, northwest flow could keep the pattern active with more rounds of snow for the Northern Rockies.
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WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect until 2 PM Friday for the West Glacier Region. Strong winds and heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 to 4 inches in the valleys and 4 and 11 inches in the higher terrain including Highway 2 from Essex to Marias Pass. Wind gusts as high as 40 mph. Rapid drop in temperatures creating freeze-up on road surfaces.
WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect until 5 PM Friday for the East Glacier Park Region, Northern High Plains, Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera, including the following locations: Kiowa, Browning, Cut Bank, Logan Pass, Marias Pass, Ethridge, Dupuyer, Santa Rita, East Glacier Park, Babb, Saint Mary, and Heart Butte. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches at lower elevations and 8 to 12 inches in the mountains.
WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect until 6 PM Friday for the Butte/Blackfoot Region and Potomac/Seeley Lake Region. Strong winds and heavy snow possible. There is a chance of moderate to major winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Rapid drop in temperatures could quickly freeze road surfaces.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect until 5 PM Friday for the Flathead/Mission Valleys. Strong winds and snow expected. There is a likelihood of moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 4 inches. Wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Rapid drop in temperatures creating freeze-up on road surfaces.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect until 5 PM Friday for the Lower Clark Fork Region, Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys and Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains. Strong winds and snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations up to 3 inches in the valleys and 4 to 10 in the higher elevations, including mountain passes. Rapid drop in temperatures could quickly freeze road surfaces.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect until 5 PM Friday for the Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass. Snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations 3 to 5 inches.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect until 5 AM Saturday for the Judith Basin County and Judith Gap, Fergus County below 4,500ft, Gates of the Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Snowy and Judith Mountains, Helena Valley, Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Madison River, Valley, Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Gallatin Valley, including the following locations: Montana City, Geyser, Windham, Helena, Neihart, Bozeman Pass, Wickes, Corbin, Boulder, Clancy, Homestake Pass, Bozeman, Hilger, Canyon Creek, Maudlow, Raynesford, Gallatin Gateway, McAllister, Norris, Cameron, Ennis, Hobson, Craig, Stanford, Battle Ridge Pass, Trident, Wolf Creek, Lewistown, Benchland, Elk Park Pass, Monarch, Moccasin, Deep Creek Pass, and Kings Hill Pass. Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect until 4 PM Friday for the Southern Clearwater Mountains. Strong winds and snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations up to 3 inches. Rapid drop in temperatures could quickly freeze road surfaces.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect from 5 AM Friday until 5 AM Saturday for the Paradise Valley, Livingston Area and Northern Park County. Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 2 to 4 inches.
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