BUTTE – Very icy Friday morning as a strong cold front produced rain, snow and wind. That front is quickly passing out of Montana by Friday afternoon.
Colder temperatures are now likely this weekend through next weekend. Temperatures will fall closer to seasonal averages.
Traveling around the western half of the country this weekend into next week there will be numerous pacific storms producing widespread snow.
Some storms will weak and others stronger but what makes this weather pattern a concern is the frequency of storms.
Across Montana a few weak pacific storms will bring light snow and gusty winds. The first will be Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon. Another system Monday into Tuesday and additional storms Wednesday through Friday of next week.
Locally, SW Montana mountain passes will be impacted more than the lower valleys. However, as we saw Friday morning even a quick shot of snow and less 1″ of accumulation can produce very icy roads at all levels.
Stronger storms with heavy snowfall is possible from Denver to Minneapolis Wednesday through Friday next week. Much of the western half of the country will see numerous storms passing through producing snow and wind and difficult travel.
Graphic above shows the areas with the best chance for snow and travel impacts Monday into Tuesday.
The above graphic shows the areas that will likely be impacted by snow Wednesday through Friday of next week.
City by City Forecast:
BOZEMAN: LOW: 16°; HIGH SATURDAY: 31°. Partly cloudy and colder overnight with gusty winds up to midnight. Saturday partly cloudy and colder.
BUTTE: LOW: 10°; HIGH SATURDAY: 29°.Mostly cloudy into tonight with light winds. Saturday partly cloudy and breezy with colder temperatures.
DILLON: LOW: 11°; HIGH SATURDAY: 29°. Colder overnight with diminishing winds and partial clearing. Saturday will also be colder but mostly sunny.
WEST YELLOWSTONE: LOW: 4°; HIGH SATURDAY: 21°. Colder overnight with partial clearing and down around zero. Mostly sunny and chilly with light winds on Saturday
