BOZEMAN – Numerous reports of a half inch or more of rain impacting the Butte-Blackfoot region over to Missoula Friday. Heavy wet snow for Georgetown Lake, MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass, and Elk Park was also reported.
The slow-moving Low-pressure system produced some much-needed moisture for the Northern half of SW Montana Friday, but this storm is spinning out of the region tonight.
Weekend weather pattern will see a High-pressure ridge build over Montana and with it warming and drying conditions. Temperatures Saturday should reach the 60s and by Sunday mostly 70s.
Next week another slow-moving storm will produce widespread rain, mountain snow, a few strong thunderstorms, and below normal temperatures as we get close to Memorial Day Weekend.
First comes a cold front Tuesday. Ahead of the front look for scattered showers and thunderstorms but behind the front on Wednesday cooling temperatures and periods of moderate to heavy rain with higher mountain snow.
The National Weather Service office in Missoula issued a Hydrologic Outlook for next week for Western Montana. They are concerned with the potential for 1.5” to 3” of rain. Combined with melting mountain snowpack could produce a sharp increase in runoff for smaller streams and creeks Tuesday through Friday.
