Smoke from Canadian wildfires cleared out of the state over the weekend, and all locations have reported “GOOD” air quality on Monday. With no watches or warnings in place, Montana will enjoy a rare stretch of beautiful and benign weather for late spring. However, don’t get used to warm temperatures and sunshine. Mother nature will remind everyone that it is still spring here in Big Sky Country as a colder system will bring cooler temperatures and lowering snow levels late this week into this weekend. Tuesday and Wednesday will be gorgeous with highs in the 70s and 80s, and mostly sunny skies. A few isolated thunderstorms are possible over the southern mountains, but most locations will be dry. The next storm will approach on Thursday with afternoon and evening thunderstorms. A strong cold front will bring much cooler weather with areas of rain and thunderstorms to the state on Friday. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s, but in the mountains it will be cold enough for a return of snow. Snow levels will drop from 7000′ early on Friday to nearly 5000′ by Saturday morning. This would be low enough for snow down to mountain passes, where there could be a slushy accumulation. For weekend warriors, especially those running in the Governor’s Cup on Saturday, please prepare for cooler and windy weather with a likelihood of rain. There will not be snow in the lower elevations, but people planning on being in the mountains should anticipate cold enough weather for snow. Sunday will be slightly warmer, breezy, with showers and a few thunderstorms popping up in the afternoon.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
