BOZEMAN – A NW flow aloft is keeping our temperatures near normal today, although, NE Montana counties are dealing with a touch of arctic air and below normal temperatures Tuesday afternoon.
A pair of pacific storms will bring a change to our weather pattern beginning Wednesday. A WSW flow aloft will help temperatures warm slightly across the state. This type of a pattern will favor upslope areas with moderate to heavy snow Wednesday through Saturday. This includes the MT/ID state line and Lookout, Lolo, Lost Trail passes along with Big Sky, West Yellowstone, and Yellowstone National Park.
Stronger surface winds will be developing in wind prone areas mostly east of the divide. Livingston area and I-90 is under a WIND ADVISORY Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening with possible crosswind gusts 50 to 60 mph. Other areas of concern will be Norris Hill, Ennis, Three Forks, Whitehall and Townsend with 10 to 20 mph winds and gusts over 30 mph.
Snow is possible for SW Montana Wednesday through Saturday but mostly over mountains and passes. Snow accumulations should be around an inch for Butte and Bozeman, less than inch for Dillon, and West Yellowstone possibly picking up 6”-12” of snow by Saturday.
Other hazards to consider, there is a low probability of mixed lower valley precipitation Thursday into Friday. A few pockets of freezing rain are also possible. Watch of wet roads to turn icy for morning and evening commutes Thursday and Friday.
