A WIND CHILL ADVISORY remains in effect until Tuesday afternoon for much of Montana. Brutally cold temperatures and snow spread across Montana through Saturday night and Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, much of the state was below zero with nearly a half foot of snow on the ground. Wind chills have been dangerous. So cold, frostbite is a possibility within 15 minutes of exposure. These are conditions that you seriously want to limit your outdoor exposure. If you have to travel, be very prepared in the event of a slide-off or break down of your vehicle. If you’re out away from cell service and your car slid off the road, you could face life-threatening conditions waiting for help to arrive. Travel is difficult with the snowpacked, icy roads. These conditions will persist this entire week and even through this upcoming weekend. Monday night into Tuesday, another round of snow will move through the state. Snow will accumulate several inches through Tuesday, Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The snow and clouds will clear out late on Wednesday as arctic high pressure settles over the state. By Thursday morning, much of Montana will have temperatures between -20 and -40 without the wind. Thursday afternoon will be slightly warmer with highs getting above zero. Friday, another arctic front will move back in with more snow and temperatures once again dropping below zero. This weekend will start off snowy on Saturday, temperatures will remain dangerously cold with highs in the -0s to 0s. Yet another round of snow will come through late Sunday and Monday of next week. Much colder than average temperatures, along with several snow storms will continue into the middle of February. This likely is the harshest conditions we will face this winter.
Be safe and stay warm.
Curtis Grevenitz
