We are going to have partly to mostly cloudy skies and mild temperatures tonight as lows are going to be in the 30s and 20s in most locations (teens along the eastern half of the Hi-Line). Gusty winds are also expected tonight along the Rocky Mountain Front as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 30 mph. Elsewhere, there is just going to be a little breeze around tonight.
For the first day of winter tomorrow (winter starts at 2:21am MST), we are going to have really nice weather as we are going to have increasing clouds (partly to mostly sunny skies overall), mainly dry conditions, and mild temperatures as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 30s, 40s, and 50s, with the coldest temperatures along the eastern half of the Hi-Line. There is also going to be little to no wind around in most areas tomorrow, but it will be breezy again tomorrow along the Rocky Mountain Front as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 20 mph.
There is then going to be scattered rain, freezing rain, and snow around tomorrow night, especially in locations east of I-15, as a disturbance passes through our area. There will then continue to be a few rain/freezing rain/snow showers around on Sunday, mainly during the morning and generally along the Hi-Line east of I-15, as this disturbance leaves our area. We are also going to have decreasing clouds on Sunday.
In the mountains, up to a half foot of snow accumulation is possible this weekend. In the lower elevations, little to no snow accumulation is expected this weekend. In northeastern Montana, >.01” of ice is likely this weekend, with some locations receiving over .1” of ice, specifically between 12am and 12pm on Sunday. Due to this ice, roads will be extremely icy in northeastern Montana late tomorrow night and Sunday morning, so try and avoid traveling during this timeframe if you can. A light glaze of ice is also possible tomorrow night around Havre and Fort Belknap. Elsewhere, little to no ice accumulation is expected this weekend.
We are also going to have increasing wind tomorrow night, with widespread gusty winds around on Sunday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 30 mph, and wind gusts over 40 mph are possible. Along the Rocky Mountain Front, gusts over 50 mph are possible later tomorrow night and on Sunday. It is also not going to be as mild on Sunday as it is going to be tomorrow as highs are going to be in the upper 30s, 40s, and low 50s.
For next week, periods of rain, freezing rain, and snow are expected along and west of the Continental Divide as multiple disturbances impact the state. Around Helena, there will be some scattered rain and snow around next week, generally in the mountains. In north-central Montana, mostly dry conditions are expected next week as there are just going to be a few isolated rain and snow showers around. As of right now, Christmas Day looks to be the driest day in Montana next week.
We are also going to have decreasing clouds on Monday; mostly cloudy skies on Tuesday and Thursday; mostly sunny skies on Christmas Day; and partly to mostly cloudy skies on Friday. Well above average temperatures are also expected for all of next week as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 30s, 40s, and low to mid 50s, with Monday and Tuesday being the warmest days.
In the valleys, little to no wind is expected next week. Along the Rocky Mountain Front, it is going to be windy next week as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 15 and 35 mph, and wind gusts over 50 mph are possible. Elsewhere, it is going to be breezy/gusty next week as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 30 mph, and wind gusts over 40 mph are possible.
