MISSOULA — An inversion layer formed over Frenchtown, Missoula, and Flathead valleys today, and air quality levels in these areas have been downgraded from good to moderate.
This inversion layer will break late tonight and early tomorrow ahead of our next system moving in.
Tomorrow’s game day forecast in Missoula is looking cloudy but warm!
It’s a big change from the sub-40 degree, rainy, and snow home game weather we’ve had almost all season.
A few slight chances of showers are possible during the early morning hours of Saturday for areas north of I-90, but we mostly stay cloudy but warmer (40s and low 50s) through tomorrow afternoon.
Saturday night is when changes move into our forecast.
A cold front will sweep down from the northeast and bring wintry weather, arctic air, and windy conditions starting Saturday night and lasting through Sunday evening.
Valleys like Missoula and Hamilton will mostly see rain, but a few snowflakes mixing in is still possible- especially late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
It is the upper elevation areas that we are watching for slick road conditions like: east of Missoula on I-90 and HWY 200, east of Flathead Lake along MT 209, and Sapphire Mountain roads/ Philipsburg and east.
The Sapphire Mountains and upper elevation areas east of Flathead Lake are under a Winter Storm Watch.
Both areas will be affected by small amounts of accumulating snow, but we will all feel the wind across Western Montana.
Gusts up to 40 MPH will make Sunday’s 30 degree highs feel much colder!
The wind will also blow snow- reducing visibility for upper elevation passes.
If you are driving from out of town to Missoula for Saturday’s game, the drive to the game looks clear, but heading home late Saturday night or Sunday may be slick!
