BOZEMAN – A complex weather pattern will impact Montana over the next 24 to 36 hours. First a Pacific front is moving in from the west and second a Canadian cold front drops in from the north. Both will produce continued cooler than normal temperatures, scattered snow, locally windy and areas of blowing snow, and wintry travel conditions over mountain passes.
Mountain passes on the MT/ID state line will see the brunt of the snow with 2” to 5” or more possible tonight into Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for areas west of the divide including the Butte/Blackfoot region tonight into Wednesday morning.
Snow accumulations of 1”-3” is possible with 2”-5” for mountain passes. MacDonald pass, Homestake pass, Lost Trail pass, Lolo pass and Lookout pass will likely see wintry travel impacts with snow and wind. Look for snow-covered and icy conditions as well.
Yellowstone National Park is also under a Winter Weather Advisory tonight into Wednesday evening. Moderate snow is possible for higher elevations.
Most of SW Montana could see 1”-3” of valley snow and a few more inches over most mountain passes tonight into Wednesday. Wintry travel conditions are likely to create slow-go travel over the next 24 hours across our region so plan on extra travel times.
Wind prone areas could see West to North winds at times 15 to 25 mph and that could produce localized areas of blowing snow like Monida pass and Norris Hill.
