Strong winds will continue to affect much of the region Monday while snow (heavy at times) falls over the Rocky Mountain Front.
High Wind Warnings are in place until 10pm this evening for Blaine, Central and Southern Lewis and Clark, Eastern Glacier, Eastern Pondera, Eastern Teton, Hill, Liberty, Meagher, and Toole counties (in addition to the Rocky Mountain Front).
The High Wind Warning doesn't expire until 5am Tuesday for Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, and Judith Basin counties, however.
Due to the blowing and drifting snow with significantly reduced visibilities (& whiteout conditions for some), a Blizzard Warning continues through 11am above 4,500' for northern Rocky Mountain Front. The southern Rocky Mountain Front is under a Winter Weather Advisory until 11am Tuesday above 4,500' (until 7am Tuesday for central and southern Lewis and Clark County).
A short period of snow is expected over mainly southwest Montana tonight as a cold front moves through the region. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued from 9pm Monday to 7am Tuesday for Beaverhead, Broadwater, Cascade, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison & Meagher Counties. Expect 3"-6" in the mountains... less than 1" at lower elevations. Winds will gust as high as 45mph. There's a good chance rain could mix with snow at times for most valley locations as lows hover around freezing, so a Winter Weather Advisory is out for northeast Montana from midnight to 11am Tuesday for that threat (with light snow accumulations).
The mild air Monday will be replaced with colder temperatures for Tuesday and Wednesday in the low to mid 30s. Breezy conditions at times will be likely with a mix of clouds and sun otherwise.
Right now, it looks like the Thursday through Saturday time frame will be somewhat unsettled with snow chances. We could see highs a good 10-20° below average by Saturday - especially across north central Montana.
Drier and warmer conditions are possible early next week.
