A HIGH WIND WATCH has been issued for Friday throughout northern and central Montana as powerful winds will once again blow through the state.
A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued for Friday night into Saturday for the Rocky Mountain Front and Judith Basin, Meagher and Cascade Counties.
Wednesday's snow will be melting over the next few days with a warmup on the way. High pressure will build into the state through Thursday with more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Places that saw several inches of snow will have highs warm into the 40s and 50s on Thursday afternoon. Some high, thin clouds will move through the sky. Stronger southwest wind will redevelop off of the Rocky Mountain front and out the Hi-line. Friday will be a very nice day with warm temperatures in the 60s to around 70. Southwest wind will really increase once again with sustained speeds between 20-40mph, gusts could reach 50-75mph. This wind event will be similar to the intense winds that howled across the state on Tuesday. Late Friday evening as the wind really ramps up, a cold front will work down through the state. Temperatures will drop and snow will develop through Friday night into Saturday morning. Much of central and western Montana will have snow, cold and wind to start off the weekend. Highs will only be in the 20s and 30s with snow tapering off later on Saturday. A few inches are possible in the lower elevations, and the mountains could see more than 6". Sunday will be a sunnier day but temperatures will remain cold, highs will stay in the 20s and 30s. Another cold front and burst of snow will come through later Monday into Tuesday. This front will bring an arctic airmass with very cold temperatures. Some areas will drop into the single digits and even below zero on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Have a great day.
Curtis Grevenitz
