BOZEMAN – The next weather maker is a Pacific cold front to pass through Montana Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening.
The front will produce gusty surface winds beginning tonight through Wednesday night across the state and watch for scattered snow showers to begin in western Montana Wednesday morning and push into eastern Montana by Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued some high wind highlights east of the divide now through Wednesday evening.
A HIGH WIND WARNING is up along the Rocky Mountain Front with peak wind gusts 60 to 70 mph. A WIND ADVISORY is up for the upper Yellowstone region around Livingston with peak wind gusts 60 to 70 mph possible tonight through Wednesday evening.
Strong crosswinds could close I-90 in the Livingston area with a detour through Livingston. This will add extra travel time so plan accordingly if the interstate is shut down.
The other travel issue with this cold front Wednesday will be periods of snow. Snow accumulations are likely for mountains and passes with less than inch for most lower valleys. Wet roads could turn icy Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
Snow accumulations could be around 1”-4” for most mountains and passes. Some could see more and other less than expected but the greatest concern is wet roads turning icy.
The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for far western Montana from 2 am to 11 am Wednesday. This includes I-90 from Missoula to Lookout Pass.
Snow accumulations of 1"-3" is possible and peak wind gusts over 30 mph. Combined this could produce areas of snow and blowing snow. Wet roads will turn icy Wednesday into Thursday morning.
