Increasing rain and snow will push back into SW Montana tonight as the next weather maker arrives. Difficult travel is likely with slushy snow accumulations Wednesday night through Friday morning.
Watch the above on demand STORMTracker video forecast for a detailed look at the timing, location and intensity of rain or snow and travel impacts to hit SW Montana Wednesday through Friday with Chief Meteorologist Mike Heard.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Increasing valley rain and mountain snow Wednesday night through Friday morning
- Valleys could see rain/snow mix but mostly snow Thursday afternoon and evening
- Snow levels around 6,500′ Wednesday will fall to valley floor by Friday morning
- Forecast lows by Friday morning will drop into the 20s and wet roads will become very icy for morning commute
Micro Climates:
BOZEMAN: Low: 32, High: 41. Rain or snow likely Wednesday night into Thursday morning but all snow is likely by Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. Snow levels to fall down to 5,500 Thursday and down to lower valley floors by Thursday night. Snow accumulation of 2" – 4" is possible for Bozeman but heavy snow is possible for Bozeman Pass.
BUTTE: Low: 30, High: 38. Rain or snow increasing overnight. Mostly snow is likely Thursday. Snow accumulations of 2" – 4" is likely for Butte and 3" – 6" or more for nearby mountain passes. West winds 15 to 25 gusting to 40 mph is possible and could produce blowing snow & reduced visibility.
DILLON: Low: 34, High: 39. Increasing rain and snow Wednesday night and Thursday but could be all snow by Thursday afternoon. Accumulations of 2" – 4" is possible for Dillon but 6" – 12" for area mountain passes.
WEST YELLOWSTONE: Low: 31, High: 37. Rain or snow likely Wednesday night into Thursday morning but all snow is likely by Thursday afternoon into Friday morning. Snow accumulations of 3" – 6" is possible but could be heavier over nearby mountains and inside Yellowstone National Park.
TRAVEL CONCERNS: Greatest travel impacts will occur Thursday morning and Friday morning. Forecast lows will be near freezing Thursday morning but well below freezing Friday morning. Wet slushy roads will come wet and icy Thursday night into Friday morning for valleys and mountain passes. STORMTracker Travel Watch is up and running: CLICK HERE
WINTER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
The National Weather Service has a WINTER STORM WARNING up for Gallatin and Meagher counties in SW Montana including Bozeman and White Sulphur Springs up into central Montana from 11 am Thursday to 6 am Friday.
Snow accumulations: Valleys 3" – 6". Mountains and Passes 10" – 20" is possible.
Gusty winds could produce some localized blowing snow and lower visibility.
Heavy wet snow loading on trees and power poles could lead to power outages.
This is a dangerous storm for traveling especially Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.
The National Weather Service has a WINTER STORM WARNING up for Yellowstone National Park from midnight Wednesday through 6 am Friday.
Snow accumulations of 6" – 14" is possible with up to 2′ feet for higher elevations.
The National Weather Service has a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY up for the Butte/Blackfoot region from 2 am to 4 pm Thursday.
Snow accumulations: 3" – 6" likely above 5,500′ and that includes Butte, Georgetown Lake and MacDonald Pass.
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The National Weather Service has a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY up for Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson, Broadwater and Lewis & Clark counties from 6 am to 9 pm Thursday.
Snow accumulations: Mountain passes 3" – 6" is possible for most lower valleys 1" – 3" of snow is possible.
