A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for east of the Continental Divide out into central Montana for Wednesday into Thursday.
A record breaking snowstorm hit Montana over the weekend, and there will be no rest for the weary. Very icy conditions are developing across north-central Montana as a mix of freezing rain and snow is falling. Tuesday morning will likely be slick for much of central and eastern Montana. The western areas closer to the Continental Divide have seen a warmup with temperatures rising above freezing. Many of these locations will stay above freezing through Tuesday. Tuesday will be partly to mostly cloudy with most areas in the state climbing above freezing. Towns like Helena, Butte and Bozeman will likely top out near 50. Tuesday will be a good day to use the quiet weather to prepare for the next storm that arrives on Wednesday. Low pressure will move into the state with a mix of rain and snow initially, then change over to all snow through Wednesday afternoon and evening. The snow will continue for most of Montana through Wednesday night into Thursday, and several inches are likely to accumulate. Temperatures will also drop again, freezing thing up which will make for icy spots on the roads. Snow will taper off through Thursday, but it will be much colder with highs only in the 10s and 20s. Friday will start off quiet but yet another area of low pressure will approach the state through the day. Snow will break out for western and central areas through the day. Several more inches are likely to accumulate through Friday night and most of Saturday as snow continues to fall. As arctic high pressure builds in Saturday night, temperatures will likely drop to record levels in the -0s and 0s. Sunday will be sunny but very cold, with highs mainly in the 10s. A shift to warmer, more typical October weather is likely for next week.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist