A strong winter storm continues to affect the state through Wednesday night. A WINTER STORM WARNING remains in effect for Lewis & Clark, Cascade, Judith Basin and Meagher Counties until 5am. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY remains in effect for the rest of central and western Montana. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY has been issued for northeast Montana where wind chills could drop to -25. An AVALANCHE WARNING has been issued for the mountains of western Montana. Snow will taper off by early Thursday morning, but roads will remain icy. Air temperatures will be truly icy as well, with many towns down into the 0s. The Hi-Line and northeast Montana will have temperatures between 0 and -15, with wind chill values dangerously cold at -25. In conditions like that, frostbite is a possibility in less than 30 minutes. Thursday will be a partly cloudy day with snow showers over the Continental Divide. Highs will be warmer in the 20s and 30s, except northeast Montana in the 0s and 10s. Thursday’s issue will be wind and blowing snow for much of the state. Strong wind will develop out of the west up to 30mph which will reduce visibility and create drifting snow, especially off of the Rocky Mountain Front. Friday, a fast-moving weaker storm will produce scattered snow showers across the state. Accumulation will be light, generally a coating up to an inch. Mountains above 6000′ could see up to 3″. Highs will be in the 20s and 30s. Saturday will be a mostly sunny day with wind over the plains, but inversions in the valleys. Highs in northcentral Montana will be in the 40s with a strong west wind. The valleys along and west of the Divide will be calm with highs holding in the 30s. Sunday will start off windy and mild, but a strong cold front will drop out of Canada in the afternoon. This front will spread snow and falling temperatures across the state through the evening and overnight hours. Several more inches of snow are likely and the snow will continue into Monday.
Be safe and stay warm.
Curtis Grevenitz
