A WIND CHILL ADVISORY remains in effect tonight into Thursday. Wednesday night’s lows will likely be one of the coldest nights this winter as widespread areas east of the Continental Divide will fall to between -15 and -30. Wind chill factor could dip to -35 early Thursday morning. As skies clear out tonight, with calm wind, snow on the ground and high pressure in place, these conditions allow for optimal radiational cooling conditions. Simply, the airmass over Montana will cool quickly and efficiently from the present cold temperatures. That happens once the sky clears. Thursday will start out very cold, but sunshine will grace much of our wintry state. Temperatures will slowly warm into the 0s and 10s for highs, but far eastern Montana will likely stay below 0. A little wind off of the Rocky Mountain Front could create more dangerously cold wind chills, along with blowing snow. Friday, another Canadian front will move into the state with clouds and a little light snow developing mainly over northwest Montana. Light snow will spread south through the state in the afternoon and evening. Another surge of frigid air will move through with the cold front late Friday. Saturday will have subzero highs for much of the state, light snow, along with wind chills as cold as -30. Sunday will be a cold and gray day, but the snow will take a break. Snow will move back in on Monday and Tuesday as the active pattern continues.
Stay warm!
Curtis Grevenitz
