Another cool and mostly cloudy day today, and there were a few light rain/snow showers around during the morning. Tonight, there are going to be some scattered rain and mountain snow showers around, generally before midnight, as a disturbance works its way through our area. We are also going to have mostly to partly cloudy skies tonight and it will be mild as lows are going to be in the mid to upper 30s and low to mid 40s.
The wind will increase as we go through tonight, with widespread gusty to strong winds expected tomorrow and Friday. Sustained wind speeds are going to be between 15 and 35 mph, and wind gusts over 50 mph are possible. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect for eastern Glacier County, western Toole County, and central Pondera County from 4am until 6pm Thursday as wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible. A HIGH WIND WATCH is also in effect for Phillips County from 5am until 6pm Thursday as wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible. The wind is going to be coming out of the west/southwest in most locations for the next two days.
Tomorrow, we are going to have partly cloudy skies, with the cloud cover decreasing some as the day goes on. There will be some snow/rain in the mountains, but it should be mostly dry in the lower elevations. It is also going to be mild tomorrow as highs are going to be in the upper 40s, 50s, and low 60s.
Here is the detailed forecast:
There are then going to be scattered rain and mountain snow showers around on Friday, generally in central Montana, in locations east of I-15 in north-central Montana, and in the mountains. Some of the lower elevations along the Hi-Line east of I-15 may also see some snow on Friday, although little to no accumulation is expected. Along and west of the Divide, up to 8” of snow is possible through Friday evening above mountain pass level. At mountain pass level, a coating to a few inches of snow is possible, which may create difficult travel conditions at times. In the mountains east of the Divide, light snow accumulations of a coating to an inch or two are possible through Friday evening.
Another disturbance will bring some scattered snow and rain showers to locations east of I-15 in north-central Montana Friday night. This is when some of the lower elevations may receive light snow accumulations of a coating to an inch or two. It is also going to be cool on Friday as highs are going to be in the 40s and low to mid 50s.
On Saturday, we are going to have partly cloudy skies and mostly dry conditions, just a few rain/snow showers along the eastern half of the Hi-Line. There is also going to be less wind around on Saturday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 5 and 20 mph in most locations. In northeastern Montana, it will be breezy on Saturday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 25 mph. It is also going to be cool on Saturday as highs are going to be in the 40s in most spots.
Partly to mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions are then expected Sunday and early next week as an upper-level ridge is going to be in control of our weather. Warmer temperatures are also expected as highs are going to be in the mid to upper 40s and low to mid 50s on Sunday; the 60s and upper 50s on Monday; and the 50s and low 60s Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be little to no wind on Sunday, but gusty winds will return for Monday and Tuesday as sustained wind speeds are going to be between 10 and 25 mph.
