Arctic Air Abates

Brutally cold air gripped northeast Montana this morning, with dangerously cold numbers dropping into the -20s. This arctic air will ease as it moves east, and fairly mild temperatures will move through the state even up into northeast Montana. You can thank the Pacific for the mild air, however the Pacific will send moisture in the form of snow toward Montana for the next several days. This weather pattern favors the Continental Divide and west of the Divide with more rain and snow. Scattered snow showers will spread east of the Divide at times, but accumulation should be confined to the mountains. Wednesday will have scattered snow showers over the lower elevations, more frequent snow will fly over the mountains. Highs in the lower elevations will be in the 30s and 40s, with 20s in the mountains, and even northeast Montana will warm into the 10s and 20s. Snow accumulation will be confined to the higher terrain. Thursday will be mild and windy in the lower elevations with a few mixed rain and snow showers. Highs will be in the 40s in the valleys and plains, 20s and 30s in the mountains. Wind will gust up to 50mph off of the Rocky Mountain Front. Friday will be mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers, mainly in the mountains again. Temperatures will be cooler, only reaching the 20s and 30s for highs. This weekend will be slightly cooler with a few snow showers on Saturday, but Sunday will be mainly dry even in the mountains.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz