MISSOULA — Happy Sunday!
Amidst a gray day across western Montana, the National Weather Service has issued a number of warnings and advisories across the area for wind, snow, or a combination of the two. I'll quickly cover these weather highlights.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in place for the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains and the Lower Clark Fork Region through 11pm this evening. The combination of moderate to heavy snow ranging from 2 to 13 inches along with strong wind gusts up to 50 mph will make traveling very difficult at pass levels.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for the Kootenai/Cabinet Region through 11am Monday morning. This is predicated on periods of sustained winds out of the southwest ranging from 30 to 40 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph.
W Wind Advisory is in place for the Flathead and Mission valleys for strong winds out of the south. Sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph are expected from now until Monday morning, with gusts as high as 40mph.
Finally, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the West Glacier region until 11am Monday, for snow totals f 3 to 7 inches at Marias Pass, with up to 2 inches elsewhere in the higher elevations, and wind speeds of up to 50mph.
The Missoula and Bitterroot valleys and the Potomac/Seeley lake Region are not under any advisories or warnings, but gusty winds up to 30 mph can be expected. With temperatures remaining well into the 30s and 40s through Monday evening, valley locations will see periods of light rain with some snow mixed in. No accumulations are expected. In fact, warm temperatures will lead to increased snow melt and ponding of water in some valley locations. Sidewalks and walkways will be very slick in some spots. Our sky will remain generally cloudy with some locations getting brief periods of sunshine.
As the system exits the region early on Tuesday, we’ll see a good deal of snow shower activity in the mountains and valleys. Light accumulations are likely in the valleys early Tuesday. By later in the day, shower activity will diminish, and we should see sunshine poking through the clouds. Temperatures will be much cooler on Tuesday with highs reaching the middle 30s.
Wednesday is shaping up as a dry day with most getting a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will climb into the middle 30s after starting in the upper teens to lower 20s.
Thursday will bring more clouds than sun with chances of late day show showers and highs in the lower to middle 30s.
Have a wonderful Monday!
