BOZEMAN – Pattern change arrives Monday! Get ready for a blast of fall like weather with colder than temperatures, gusty winds, valley rain and mountain snow.
Hopefully this will help slow our wildfire situation down and give fire fighters a break. I do not expect this to be a fire ending event as the weather pattern will return to warm and dry later next week.
High-pressure is retreating to the west allowing a strong Canadian cold front to drop down into Montana Sunday evening along the hi-line and reaching SW Montana mid-day Monday.
Forecast models have been consistent with this front producing increasing moisture. Valley rain is likely and snow levels could fall down to 5,000’ but accumulating snow is likely above 6,000’.
The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY above 6,000’ for SW Montana from 9 am to midnight Monday. The only exception in Beaverhead county.
Snow accumulations will vary greatly but most weather models have the potential for 1” - 4” around 6,000’ and heavier amounts above 7,000’.
Gusty NW winds will also develop with this frontal passage and temperatures will drop significantly by Monday night. Forecast lows could be in the teens at higher elevations by Tuesday morning.
Be prepared for a sudden pattern change in the backcountry Monday.
