Slow Warmup Through 3-Day Weekend

Warmer air is on the way, just not at the same time for everyone. The arctic airmass that has gripped the state this week will slowly move out over the course of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend from southwest to northeast. A weak storm system will initially spread some clouds and light snow in the northwest mountains. The system will help enhance the southwest flow across Montana. The western and southern areas in the state will warm up first. Southwest wind will increase off of the Rocky Mountain Front through Saturday into Sunday. A chinook wind will warm temperatures up above 0 and eventually above the freezing point for Sunday and Monday. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday will be a very nice January day with mostly sunny skies and highs in the 30s and 40s. A few holdout locations on the eastern end of the Hi-Line may remain in the 10s and 20s, but at least that's above 0. Next week is climatologically the coldest week of the year, but this year it looks fairly passive across Montana. Wind will remain gusty across the plains, and there will be some snow showers Tuesday into Wednesday and then again Friday. But overall the week will be quiet and mild with temperatures above average. There are some indications that another arctic airmass is possible toward the beginning of February.
Have a great weekend.
Curtis Grevenitz