HELENA — A BLIZZARD WARNING has been issued for north-central Montana.
A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for most of the rest of Montana.
A major snowstorm with blizzard conditions will hit this weekend. For a storm to technically be a blizzard it needs to have sustained wind of 35mph or greater, visibility of 1/4 mile or less, and sustain these conditions for at least 3 hours. A blizzard does not require heavy snowfall, but snow is a key element reducing visibility. A blizzard does not require severe cold, either.
After the weekend starts out quietly, the storm will really explode on Saturday night with those blizzard conditions throughout most of the state for most of Sunday. Snowfall will be heavy, wind will be strong, temperatures will be cold, wind chills will be biting, travel will be extremely dangerous and in some places impassible. The snow will continue into Monday morning before gradually tapering off through the day. Wind will continue to blow snow around on Monday even as the sun comes out. Travel conditions will remain severe. Another round of light snow is likely on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will remain cold throughout the week.
This is a storm to respect. Please be careful.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
