BOZEMAN – Prepare for a significant weather pattern change this weekend! Temperatures Thursday and Friday are wonderful and warm reaching the upper 50s and lower 60s but that will not continue this weekend.
An arctic cold front will drop down into Montana beginning Friday evening and passing through the state by Saturday late morning. This front will produce: much colder temperatures, wind gusts 30 to 50 mph, rain changing to snow, possible flash freezing of wet roads, moderate to heavy wet snow.
This storm will have a major impact on traveling this weekend both west and east of the divide.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING for central Montana 9 pm Friday night to midnight Saturday.
Heavy wet snow is expected: Accumulations of 4”-8” are possible for lower valleys with 8”-12” for foothills and mountain passes and 15”+ for higher elevations.
Wind gusts 30 to 50 mph will produce areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Flash freezing of wet roads will produce extremely icy conditions.
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The National Weather Service has a WINTER STORM WATCH up Friday evening through Saturday evening west of the divide and for southern Montana.
A “watch” means conditions look favorable for significant snow and hazardous travel impacts. The NWS will upgrade the watch to either a winter storm warning or winter weather advisory before the storm arrives.
Confidence is high for areas of moderate to heavy snow especially at pass level. Snow accumulations will be highly varied in SW Montana but widespread snow is likely with this storm.
Significant impacts to travel will develop Saturday morning and continue through Sunday morning.
Flash freezing of wet roads could produce extremely icy road conditions.
