Enjoy this Calm Before the Storm

It's the final week of January but this month hardly felt or looked like the middle of winter. Mild temperatures and little snow in the lower elevations will continue through the end of the month. However there are BIG changes on the way for February so make use of the relative warmth until an inevitable reality check brings back winter. Wrapping up January there will be a few minor systems pushing through the state with mainly mountain snow, mild temperatures, moderate wind and little else. These storms are nothing to get too excited about but there may be slippery conditions over the mountain passes. The first disturbance will move into Montana on Tuesday with snow showers mainly in the mountains. A few mixed rain/snow showers will move east of the Continental Divide. Mountain accumulation should total about 1-3". Highs will be in the 20s and 30s in the mountains, 30s and 40s in the lower elevations. This system will clear for Wednesday making for mostly sunny conditions with gusty west wind. Late on Wednesday the next minor storm will move through with areas of snow even in the lower elevations. A light coating could create slippery spots overnight into Thursday morning but this disturbance will move out through the morning hours. Some sunshine and warmer temperatures in the 40s will likely melt any lower elevation snow. Friday a warm front will move through with warmer temperatures, rain showers, and strong wind over the prairies. Saturday will be windy and warm, warm enough where a few record highs could be set. Most of Montana will warm into the 50s to around 60. West winds will howl across the plains and mountains. Sunday is Groundhog Day and Super Bowl Sunday, and big changes are likely. A cold front will work through the state with falling temperatures. Snow will develop later in the day and continue through Monday. The timing of the cold front and snow could change with more of Sunday becoming snowier. Please stay tuned to the forecast as we get closer to this event.
Have a great day!
Curtis Grevenitz