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MISSOULA - You name it, we're probably going to get it in Western Montana today. We're talking everything from valley rain, mountain snow, icy roads, gusty winds and temperatures above average then dropping back down below freezing.

The morning will feature valley rain as the temperatures hover in the mid 30s to upper 40s all across the area. But the ground is frozen after several days of below freezing temperatures, so the rain is freezing upon contact with the roads creating sheets of ice and areas of black ice. Roads will be dangerous through the morning hours so please be careful while traveling today. We have a freezing rain advisory in effect until 9 a.m. for the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys because of the hazardous driving conditions.

As daylight moves in, that will help to ease the icy roads situation. But we're still expecting to see light valley rain and mountain snow continue through the day so don't forget the umbrella! Even the higher elevation valleys like Seeley Lake and Libby areas could see a rain-snow mix into the afternoon hours. Early afternoon hours look to offer a little break with even the potential for a bit of sunshine to peak through, but things will pick back up in the evening as another round of rain heads our way.

Winter weather advisories remain in effect for most of Western Montana. The Kootenai-Cabinet region is under an advisory until noon today. Valleys can expect less than an inch of new snow. The Flathead and Mission valleys are also under an advisory due to rain creating icy roads. Potomac and Seeley Lake's advisory expires at 5 p.m.

Montana Highway 83 and Montana Highway 200 can expect 2" to 4" of snow with up to 6" in the mountain and periods of freezing rain. The Lower Clark Fork is under and advisory until 6 p.m. Lookout Pass can expect 8" to 10" of snow with up to an inch in the valleys. Winds will also be gusty, up to 40 mph, reducing visibilities at times.

Lost Trail and Lolo passes expire at p.m. with 2" to 5" of fresh snow expected by this evening. Marias Pass can expect 4" to 8" of fresh snow by this evening as well with 1" to 2" of snow in the lower elevations around West Glacier. Gusty winds will be prevalent all across the area gusting between 35 mph to 40 mph at times. This will create blowing snow conditions, reducing visibilities.

Our temperatures today are taking a backseat to the icy roads and rain but on a quiet day, we'd be talking about how warm it's going to be as a headline. We started the morning in the mid 30s to upper 40s and we'll continue to warm through the morning into the 40s and even the low 50s in some places! A cold front swings through this afternoon which means our temperatures will drop through the afternoon hours and continue to fall toward the mid 20s overnight.

Since we're dropping back below freezing tonight, expect our rain to switch back over to a rain-snow mix and even all snow in some places. That means Thursday's morning commute could be messy too. Otherwise, we'll transition back to rain during the day and warm back up into the upper 30s and lower 40s.

The weekend provides a bit of a break from the wet stuff. A ridge of high pressure builds in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday bringing us sunshine. Our temperatures will dip off for the early part of the weekend into the upper 20s and lower 30s but return to average highs in the mid 30s by Sunday.

Contact Chrissy Kohler