BOZEMAN – An active weather pattern continues for another 24 hours and a new shot of snow is possible on Saturday.
So far no big surprises with this storm system. It’s been a long duration event and the snow continues to fly Thursday afternoon. Mountains have been picking up several feet of heavy wet snow and lower valleys are digging out as well.
NW flow aloft has another wave of moisture pushing back into SW Montana from central Idaho this afternoon and evening. Snow will continue and it could be heavy at times impacting travel tonight into Friday morning.
Temperatures Thursday afternoon warmed up into the low to mid 30’s. This has melted lower valley roadways and they are very wet. After sunset those wet roads will be freezing and with additional snow look for snow-packed and icy conditions at all levels tonight.
The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center and the National Weather Service issued an AVALANCHE WARNING Thursday morning. Your STORMTracker Weather mobile app sent a push alert the instant the avalanche warning was issued.
The backcountry avalanche warning covers Gallatin and Madison counties and Island Park, ID through Friday. Heavy wet snow is creating dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely.
The National Weather Service continues WINTER STORM WARNINGS across SW Montana through 11 am Friday morning.
This is mostly above 5,500’ but Bozeman and Butte this includes the valley floor.
An additional 6”-12” of snow is possible Thursday night into Friday morning especially over mountains and passes. Above 6,500’ 12”-14” is possible mostly in Gallatin county. West of the divide mountains could see 9”-17” of additional snow.
The National Weather Service continues a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for SW Montana below 5,500’ through 11 am Friday east of the divide.
Look for an additional 2” – 6” of valley snow in the advisory area for lower valleys.
Wet roads will be refreezing tonight into Friday morning and there will be localized areas of blowing snow and lower visibility impacting travel.
Another storm system will pass through the region on Saturday producing more scattered snow and gusty winds. This system should be a quick shot of snow and roll out of the region by Sunday.
Next week forecast models are hinting at a shot of arctic air dropping down in Montana with much colder highs and lows beginning Wednesday of next week.
