A HIGH WIND WARNING has been issued for the Rocky Mountain Front and parts of central Montana for Friday.
A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for central and southwest Montana for Friday night and Saturday.
Get ready for a prolonged stormy pattern that will last through the weekend and into next week. A storm system will approach Montana through the day on Friday. A light mix of snow and rain will spread east across the Hi-Line through the morning into the afternoon with a warm front moving through the state. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop through the afternoon and evening in central and western Montana. A sharp cold front will move south through the state Friday night changing the rain over to snow. Snow will fly Saturday morning and gradually wind down by afternoon. A few inches will fall in the lower elevations, with up to 10" in the higher terrain along the Continental Divide. On Sunday another round of snow will develop through the morning and push east into the afternoon. Snow will continue into Monday morning, but as warmer air moves into the state, snow will mix with and change to snow from southwest to northeast. Monday's temperatures will start in the 20s and 30s but rise into the 40s later in the day. Tuesday will be a mild day with mostly cloudy skies and highs in the 40s and 50s. Another front will come through on Wednesday with a mix of rain and snow changing to all snow, with another few inches possible. Overall, the weather will be very sloppy with the fluctuating temperatures through Wednesday. Be prepared for slippery roads throughout the period.
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist