A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for parts of central and southern Montana for Friday afternoon for dangerous fire weather conditions.
A WINTER STORM WARNING has been issued for the mountains and valleys of central and southern Montana from Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, and the Seeley Lake area from Saturday evening into Sunday evening.
Fire and ice! A major early season snowstorm will bring dramatic changes to Montana over the next few days - from fire danger and 80s to heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Friday will start to turn partly cloudy with an increase in the wind out of the southwest. Gusts could top 40mph, creating high fire danger. Highs will top out in the 70s and 80s. A strong cold front will move south through Montana on Friday night into Saturday. Temperatures will tumble, and some light rain will mix with and turn to snow in through morning hours into the afternoon. Snow will really increase in coverage area through the afternoon and evening. Areas of snow will become widespread through Saturday night into Sunday. After snowing all night, many areas of central and southern Montana will wake up to a few inches of snow on the ground. Sunday looks cold and snowy for a good part of Montana. Some of the lower elevations may have a rain/snow mix, and some of the eastern plains could have just a cold rain. The snow will continue on Sunday for much of the state, and gradually come to an end from northwest to southeast through Sunday night into Monday. Right now, several inches up to half a foot can be expected in some of the lower elevations, and the mountains could have a foot in some areas. Snow will accumulate on the roads in the mountains and some of the lower elevations will have a slushy accumulation on the road surfaces. It will be a little slick out there, especially on Saturday night through Sunday. The storm will pull away on Monday with most areas looking at mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will start to slowly warm up into the 40s and 50s for highs. Tuesday will be in the 50s and 60s.
Have a great day,
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
