BOZEMAN – A strong surge of Arctic air is digging into Montana today with a surface cold front quickly heading into Idaho and Wyoming later tonight.
Widespread light and steady snow is producing snow covered and icy roads both at mountain pass levels and down into the lower valley floors. Localized gusty winds will produce some blowing snow and reduced visibility for Monday evenings commute and wind chill temperatures well below zero.
WINTER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
The National Weather Service continues a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for most of SW Montana through 3 am Tuesday.
Light and steady snow is occurring and will continue into the early morning hours Tuesday. Be prepared for harsh winter like travel conditions through Tuesday morning. Localized gusty winds will also produce some blowing snow and bitter wind chills tonight.
The National Weather Service issued a WINTER STORM WARNING along the Continental divide through 9 pm tonight in the Butte/Blackfoot region. This includes Butte, Homestake pass, Georgetown Lake, Macdonald Pass.
Moderate snow banding is producing moderate accumulations and with gusty surface winds visibility is down under a quarter of a mile at times. Travel is not recommended in the warning area.
The National Weather Service issued a WIND CHILL ADVISORY west of the divide from 9 pm Monday to 9 am Tuesday.
Snow showers will taper off overnight and with partial clearing temperatures will fall slightly below zero. Surface wind gusts could continue to reach 20+ mph. This combination will produce wind chill (feels like) temperatures -15° to -30° below zero at times. If you must be outside tonight into Tuesday morning please try and limit your exposure to these bitter wind chill values to avoid serious injury.
COLDEST TEMPERATURES THIS FALL SO FAR
Once this Arctic cold front passes out of Montana by Tuesday morning look for drier air to move into the state, but this will be very cold dry air. Forecast lows will fall around zero or slightly below zero Tuesday morning but with clear skies, fresh snow on the ground, and Arctic air blanketing the region forecast lows Wednesday morning will fall between -5° to -25° below zero.
Record and near record lows are possible both Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
