Quiet and fairly mild conditions will be found across much of the state through the middle of this week. After a snowy and cold end to September and beginning of October, the pleasant conditions will be welcomed. There will be an increase in the wind over the plains making that the biggest weather issue this week. Tuesday will be a nice fall day with partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures approaching seasonal norms. Highs will be in the 50s to around 60, 40s in the mountains and through northeast Montana. Wednesday will be the warmest day of the week with highs in the 60s for much of Montana. A few towns may even hit 70, including Great Falls. However with the warmth comes wind, as the plains will have gusty conditions throughout Wednesday. The next storm moves into the state on Thursday but the current pattern will produce more rain and mountain snow west of the Continental Divide, with more wind east of the Divide. A few showers may cross over the mountains through Thursday afternoon, but most areas will be generally dry. Thursday's highs will cool back down into the 50s. Friday another system will bring snow showers to the mountains and mixed rain/snow showers in the lower elevations. This is not a big storm and precipitation will be showery in nature. As temperatures cool into the 40s and 50s for highs, there will be a mix of rain and snow. Accumulation should be confined to the mountains above about 6000'. This coming weekend will be more unsettled than last weekend. Saturday will be cool and blustery with scattered rain and snow showers. The mountains could pick up a few inches of accumulation. Sunday will start out quiet but another storm will move in late in the day. Once again the pattern looks to favor along and west of the Continental Divide.
Great news - drought conditions across Montana could not be any better. At least all of that recent rain and snow have been beneficial.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
