A parade of storms is coming in from the Pacific but the impact on Montana from these storms will be far less than neighboring states. A significant amount of rain and mountain snow will fall across a significant portion of the West, bringing many areas closer to the end of fire season. However, this pattern will initially favor west of the Continental Divide and much of Montana will be dry until the weekend. While there will be some snow in the mountains and rain showers west of the Divide here in Montana, many areas east will have to wait a little while. The active pattern should continue through the end of October with more of Montana seeing an opportunity for rain and higher elevation snow. Wednesday will start out sunny but clouds will increase through the day. Highs will be in the 50s to around 60. Thursday will be a mostly sunny and mild day with highs in the 60s for many towns. West winds could gust as high as 30mph. Clouds will increase again on Friday but there will be little more than an isolated shower late in the day over the western mountains. A weak area of low pressure will bring showers and mountain snow showers Friday night into Saturday morning. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with highs in the 50s, 30s and 40s in the mountains. A few showers will move through mainly in the mountains. Sunday and Monday will have a better chance for showers and mountain snow east of the Continental Divide. More moisture will move through in the final week of October. Temperatures also will cool down to well below average by the middle of next week. Wind will probably be the most common feature from this stormy pattern.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist
