WEATHER DISCUSSION: Temperatures remain above average through the rest of the weekend and through the upcoming week. Low temperatures tonight are expected in the teens for the eastern portion of the state, and in the 20’s and 30’s for North Central and Central MT. Expect increasing cloud cover tonight with breezy to gusty winds that will wind down overnight.
A more active pattern sets up this upcoming week with daily chances for light mountain snow. Warmer temperatures will keep the precipitation type to mostly rain over the plains however. Minor snow accumulations along mountain passes are expected this week. On Monday, higher end snow total values show 1-2 inches at pass level. This is also a similar case on Christmas Eve with higher totals between 1-2" at pass level. Better chances for widespread precipitation at lower elevations arrive with an upper- level trough on Christmas Eve. Precipitation moves out of the region early Christmas morning. Expect minor impacts to holiday travel due to light snow/rain.
These disturbances also bring gusty winds to the region, mainly along the Rocky Mountain Front with breezy winds spreading out to the plains. Gusty winds move in again Monday morning and remain through most of the week. Expect wind gusts up to 50 mph in North Central Montana.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds with lows in 20’s/30’s and 10-20 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph in Cutbank and Browning.
MONDAY: Gradually becoming mostly sunny then mostly clear. Highs in 40’s/50’s and lows in 30’s. Breezy, gusts up to 40 mph.
TUESDAY (Christmas Eve): Partly cloudy then mostly cloudy with highs in 40’s/50’s and lows in 30’s. 5 to 10 mph winds with gusts up to 30 mph.
WEDNESDAY (Christmas Day): Sunny then partly cloudy with highs in 40’s and lows in 30’s. 10 to 20 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy/cloudy with highs in 40’s and lows in 30’s. Windy, with gusts up to 50 mph.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy then mostly cloudy with highs in 40’s/50’s and lows in 30’s.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy and windy with highs in 40’s/50’s and lows in 30’s.
