BOZEMAN – A roller coaster forecast over the next 10 days for SW Montana with two strong cold fronts to impact the region.
Storm #1 arrives Tuesday with a strong cold front. Ahead of this pacific storm system we will pick up scattered rain or snow by Tuesday morning and as the front arrives by Tuesday afternoon surface winds will increase sharply.
Wind gusts will increase by Tuesday afternoon between 20 to 40 mph. Peak wind gusts could be stronger between 9 pm and 2 am Tuesday into Wednesday 30 to 40 + mph. By Wednesday afternoon surface winds should drop down to 10 to 20 mph.
This storm has a slightly warmer core and temperatures ahead of this front could jump up into the 50s Tuesday. That means snow levels will be higher tonight into Tuesday. Mountain passes could see a rain/snow mix that will change over to all snow by Wednesday morning.
Storm #2 arrives Saturday. This system should have a colder core with a significant temperature drop behind a cold front by Sunday. This storm will bring scattered rain and snow along with gusty winds again by Saturday and could impact travel over mountain passes.
Temperatures will warm slightly above normal Thursday and Friday with most of SW Montana possibly reaching the lower 60s Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend cold front. Temperatures will fall well below normal beginning Sunday into early next week.
