While this storm is not a massive system, it is a cold and snowy storm for the mountains. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the southwest and southcentral mountains. Significant snow is likely above 7000' in the advisory area. Please keep this in mind if you plan on heading into the high country in the next several days. Other mountain ranges will see snow as well. Wet, slushy and cold conditions are likely in the mountains into the weekend. A low pressure cut off from the jet stream is affecting the state and will continue to do so through Friday. Because this storm is separated from the "jet" there are no steering currents and the low is slowly moving. Friday will be a mostly cloudy and cool day for areas like Helena and Great Falls. A few showers are possible but heavier rain and mountain snow will fall farther south near I-90. Showers and mountain snow will linger into Saturday, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the state. By Saturday afternoon skies will be partly cloudy and the wind will really increase. Highs will warm into the 60s. Sunday is the final day of summer and the weather will be very nice with mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures in the 70s. The first day of autumn on Monday will be pleasant with just a few isolated showers along and west of the Continental Divide. Most of next week will be pleasant until Thursday when the next storm approaches. This system likely will be bigger and colder, thus snowier than any storm we've seen in months. Stay tuned...
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
