After a very mild and dry few months, winter is about to come roaring to life across parts of Montana.
- WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for most of central and southern Montana for Thursday into Saturday.
- WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Teton, Toole, Liberty, Pondera, Glacier, Hill and Blaine Counties for Friday into Saturday.
- WIND CHILL ADVISORY is in effect into Thursday morning for far northeast Montana.
A tough stretch of winter weather is ahead, with dangerously cold temperatures and significant snow through the weekend into most of next week. Thursday will have increasing snow in the mountains, with just a few snow showers in the lower elevations. Highs will briefly be warmer in the 30s for most of the state. Snow will increase in the lower elevations on Thursday night into Friday.
Arctic air will begin to ooze into northern Montana through Friday. Areas of snow will continue through Friday night. Another push of arctic air will move through the state on Saturday morning. Wind chill values will be as cold as -30 in northeast Montana.
Temperatures will be warmer farther south and west in the state. Saturday will have areas of snow as well, with several inches accumulating.
Sunday will be bitterly cold with most of the state experiencing highs below 0. Widespread snow is also likely with several additional inches accumulating. By Sunday night, much of Montana will have temperatures as cold as -20 to -30. This is the coldest air in two years.
Snow will taper off on Monday morning, but the arctic airmass will reside over the state for the duration of next week. Expect highs in the -0s and 0s, with lows as cold as -30. These temperatures are dangerous, and snow will make for dangerous travel conditions. Please prepare for these harsh conditions.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
