A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect for most of central Montana through Tuesday.
A WINTER STORM WARNING is in effect for East and West Glacier, and northwest Montana into Thursday.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect for the Rocky Mountain Front, and higher terrain of western Montana into Thursday.
Real, harsh Montana winter weather is about the blast across the state with powerful wind, tumbling temperatures, dangerously cold wind chills and significant snow. The first step in this series of weather events will be powerful wind along with snow showers and squalls on Tuesday. A cold front will cut across the state producing strong wind capable of doing damage to trees, some structures and may knock out power to a few communities. Along this front will be snow squalls that could quickly reduce visibility. Heavy snow showers with strong wind will make for uncomfortable conditions outside. Highs will be in the 30s and 40s. Powerful wind will subside into Wednesday morning but the wind will switch direction to the north allowing arctic air to spill into the state. Highs will be in the 0s and 10s for northern Montana on Wednesday. Early high temperatures in the 20s to around 30 will occur in the morning for central and southern Montana, but temperatures will drop through the afternoon as the arctic air moves in. Areas of light snow will develop along and behind the arctic front. By Wednesday night, most areas will drop into the -0s and 0s. Thursday will be a cold day with highs in the -0s and 0s along with widespread snow developing. The snow should accumulate several inches into Thursday night. Arctic air will continue to get colder and colder through Thursday night into Friday morning when wind chills could drop to -30 to -50. Friday will be extremely cold with highs between -20 and 0 for most of the state. Areas of light snow will continue. Another surge of snow will increase on Saturday for western and central Montana. Several additional inches will accumulate with highs staying below 0. The snow will come to an end Saturday night as arctic high pressure settles in for Sunday. Skies will be mostly sunny but highs will stay below 0. A chinook wind should create blowing snow and warming conditions early next week, but more snow will develop mid to late next week. Buckle up it's going to be a wild, wintry ride.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
