A potentially record-breaking snowstorm has arrived, along with record breaking cold. Snow will spread across the state with a very snowy Saturday ahead.
- A BLIZZARD WARNING is in effect for the Rocky Mountain Front through Saturday.
- A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect for most of central and western Montana through Saturday.
- A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect for Liberty, Hill, and Blaine counties through Saturday.
Travel conditions will be bad, especially along the Rocky Mountain Front through the East Glacier area which is under a BLIZZARD WARNING. Temperatures will only reach the 10s for highs on Saturday, with wind chill values as cold as -25.
Snow will taper off through Saturday evening as the storm moves away and arctic high pressure moves in. Skies will partially clear out by Sunday morning, and with the fresh snow on the ground and high pressure moves directly overhead, temperatures will plummet. Most of the state will wake up to temperatures below 0. Some of the coldest locations will have air temperatures as low as -20.
Sunday will be a mostly sunny day with very cold highs only in the 10s. Later in the afternoon, a southwest wind will increase across the Rocky Mountain Front and north-central Montana. Blowing snow could become an issue for travelers.
On Monday a Chinook wind will develop across the prairies. Blowing snow will reducing visibility and be problematic for travelers east of the Rocky Mountain Front to around Great Falls. Valley locations will be colder with little to no wind and inversions develop. Highs will range from the 20s in the valleys to the 20s and 30s across the plains.
On Tuesday the Chinook will be in full force, with a strong wind across the plains. This will push temperatures up into the 40s to near 50, while the inverted valleys will stay in the 20s and 30s. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will continue to warm with temperatures statewide reaching the 40s and 50s, melting some of the new snow.
WINTER WEATHER RESOURCES:
