Bitterly cold and snowy for several days
Frigid arctic air, strong wind, and widespread snow hit the state this weekend. This is the coldest airmass Montana has seen in nearly two years. The snow will be the most significant accumulation for many areas since October and November. Waves of low pressure will ride along an arctic boundary producing widespread snow throughout the weekend. North wind will increase as temperatures decrease creating dangerously cold wind chills.
Daytime highs across the state will be colder the farther north and east you go through the state, ranging from 0 to -10 in north and central areas, to 10-20 above west of the Continental Divide. Lows will range from -20 to -30 over far northeast Montana to the -0s and 0s west of the Divide. Although the wind will not be extremely strong, the combination of the wind and icy ambient air temperatures will create dangerously cold wind chills for most of the state.
Please remember to cover up if you have to go outside, and take care of those pets and livestock. Areas of snow will continue into Monday, especially over central and southern areas. The arctic high will move over Montana next week clearing out the snow. Although skies will turn sunny, highs will remain below zero for most of the state most of next week. Lows will range from -10 to -40. The arctic air will dig in, lasting into Presidents' Day Weekend.
Stay warm,
Curtis Grevenitz
