WEATHER DISCUSSION: With a snow storm last night that brought snow accumulations up to 5 inches to the Great Falls area and around 4.5 inches to the Helena area, most of that snow in North Central Montana has been tapering off since this afternoon. Tonight, expect mostly cloudy/cloudy skies with low temperatures below zero up to the teens. High temperatures tomorrow will be a bit warmer, ranging in the teens on the Hi-line and eastern portions, up into the 30’s from the Choteau to Great Falls to Lewistown line.
Additional accumulations of less than half an inch of snow are possible through this evening across the plains with the biggest concern being any lingering travel impacts due to already accumulated snow. Most impacts will remain in SW Montana featuring heavy snow at times that will produce travel concerns tonight, particularly along I-90.
On Sunday an upper-level ridge briefly moves over the region which will warm up temperatures across the plains of North-central Montana and bring a brief period of dry weather to the area. Another round of snow is expected with generally light accumulations primarily in the mountains. One of the main concerns is roads that already have compacted snow and ice will receive an additional 2 to 4 inches which could make worse travel conditions tomorrow. There will be Winter Weather Advisories tomorrow from 5 am to 11 am Monday mostly in SW MT and in the Highwood and Little Belt mountains, warning of additional 2 to 6 inches of snow. A weak cold front moves through the region Sunday evening which will bring cooler temperatures for Monday and light snow to much of the area with heavier amounts in the mountains.
On Tuesday an upper-level ridge begins to move back over the area which will dry things out and bring warmer temperatures. The upper-level ridge will stay over the area from Wednesday through next Saturday which will allow for temperatures to gradually warm up and bring mostly dry weather. On Wednesday and Friday due to strong upper-level winds and a strong surface pressure gradient it will be windy along the Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent plains.
