There is a potential of five snow events for Montana from Thursday through the end of the month. A significant shift in global oscillations will result in a significant shift in this winter’s weather for Montana. What has been a mild and dry winter thus far will dramatically change to a colder and snowier solution. Wednesday will be the calm before the storm with partly cloudy skies, dry conditions and highs in the 20s – 30s. Thursday is when the action begins as high pressure moves down into southern Canada, which will meet moisture moving in from the Pacific. Snow will develop in western Montana through the morning and spread east through the afternoon. Snow won’t be especially heavy, but generally 1-3″ will accumulate for much of western and central Montana. Highs will be in the 10s in the northeast areas of the state, 20s for central and western sections. Friday will have areas of light snow with a small additional accumulation likely of an inch or so. It’s a holiday weekend coming up and areas of snow will continue on Saturday as well. With warmer air trying to move in from the west, some rain drops could mix in with the snow in the lower elevations on Saturday afternoon. Highs will be in the 20s and 30s. Sunday, some warmer air will push temperatures into the 40s in the lower elevations with a mix of rain and snow. The mountains will see snow on Sunday afternoon. Highs in the hills will be in the 20s and 30s. Late Sunday, a cold front will move through dropping snow levels back to the valleys and plains. Several inches are likely to accumulate overnight into Monday. Snow will come to an end Monday. Another storm is likely for later next week, with two more coming the week after. In total, there could be 5 separate snowstorms here across Montana before the end of the month. The weather will certainly take a snowy, colder pattern into the beginning of February.
Curtis Grevenitz
