MISSOULA — Sunshine came out this afternoon and melted valley snow from Thursday night and Friday morning!
Snow is sticking around in mountains, and some areas like Seeley Lake got so much snow it would be hard to melt it all off today!
An Avalanche Warning is in effect for backcountry areas in northwest Montana.
Avalanches will be easily triggered, so please check with your local avalanche center for your backcountry conditions before heading out.
If you didn’t get the snow amount you wanted Friday morning, don’t worry.
There is another snowstorm on the way!
Saturday’s forecast calls for more widespread snow and accumulation will grow up to another foot in mountains!
Valleys will receive a few more inches throughout the weekend, too!
We are expecting closer to 3 inches in valleys during this Saturday through Sunday period of snowfall.
The largest amounts of accumulation in valleys will occur during the evening and overnight hours when temperatures are cold enough for snow to stick.
Wind will also pick up Saturday and Sunday, so drifting and blowing snow will create areas of reduced visibility.
Once again, backcountry conditions will be dangerous due to wind loading on slopes and new snow on old, unstable snowpack.
After a snowy weekend, expect arctic air to fill into Western Montana!
This Saturday we get a taste of colder weather.
Lows drop to the single digits in northwest valleys and to the teens in west-central valleys.
Sunday highs return to the 20s, but highs only get cooler from there next week.
Monday’s highs in the northwest will be in the teens and will be single digits on Tuesday.
Lows will drop to the single digits and negative single digits in valleys, and closer to the negative teens in mountains.
