Mountain snowpack continues to be well above average with a lot of water content. Tuesday was a beautiful day for the entire state as highs warmed into the 70s and 80s under sunny skies. The mountains were warm too, with highs in the 50s and 60s above 7000′. This warmth has melted snow at a faster rate, and the melt will continue overnight into Wednesday as temperatures stay well above freezing. On Wednesday, the weather pattern will begin to change. The “Rex Block” setup with high pressure to the north of low pressure will break down. High pressure will move off to the east, allowing low pressure to move northward toward Montana. Thunderstorms will develop in the western part of the state as the low moves in. Highs will still be very warm, with readings up in the 70s and 80s. Thursday, low pressure will move through the state with more widespread rain and thunderstorms. Highs will cool down into the 60s. Friday will be a rainy, cool day. Highs will only be in the 40s and 50s. It will be cold enough for some snow to fall around 6000′ and above. The rain combined with the snowmelt will likely increase the flooding through a lot of the state, and in some locations it will be worse than before. Just like last week, the storm will slowly sag south of the area on Saturday. Some clouds will stick around with a few showers mainly in the southern half of the state on Saturday. Sunday won’t be terrible, but a few isolated thunderstorms will move over the mountains. This typically is the wettest time of year and several wet days are likely ahead of us. Please be careful with the rising floodwaters over the next few days.
Curtis Grevenitz
