A big spring storm is poised to bring rain and lowering snow levels for Montana on Tuesday into Wednesday. A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for the higher elevations of the Little Belt Mountains, the Big Belt Mountains, the Gallatin Range, Madison Range, the Crazies, the Beartooth Mountains and the Absaroka Mountains. An AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY has been issued for Meagher County in anticipation of increased runoff. Monday night and Tuesday will have moderate rain with snow levels still fairly high. Through Tuesday afternoon and evening, snow levels will lower from around 6000 feet to 5000 feet. Mountain passes will become sloppy and slippery through the day Tuesday. Be prepared for winter driving conditions. Snow levels will continue to lower to the valleys and plains off of the Rocky Mountain Front by Wednesday morning. Towns like Helena, Great Falls, Augusta, Lincoln, Elliston, White Sulphur Springs, Lewistown, and Boulder will see some accumulation by Wednesday morning. Most of the accumulation will be on grassy surfaces, with the roads getting a little slushy. Snow will gradually taper off through Wednesday. A weaker storm will move in for Thursday with light snow in the mountains, wet snow showers in the lower elevations of western and central Montana. That system will slowly clear on Friday with a few lingering rain or snow showers. This weekend will be another windy and unsettled couple of days. Saturday will be mostly cloudy and mild, but Sunday will be colder with mixed rain and snow falling in western and central areas. Several more inches of snow will accumulate in the mountains. This is an active spring weather pattern that will continue through mid-April.
With heavier precipitation over the next 7-10 days, flooding will need to be watched at Montana waterways see an increase in water.
Have a good day.
Curtis Grevenitz
