MISSOULA — In a westerly flow, a potent surge of moisture is now bringing heavy mountain snow & will continue into Wednesday morning, but some places will see way more than others…
Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in place to cover the areas with the highest impacts expected. The warnings are focused around Lookout Pass and along the Montana / Idaho border in west central Montana - this is the area where the most moisture and strongest lift will combine to cause the heaviest snowfall rates along with windy conditions. The Advisories include the Kootenai/Cabinet & West Glacier Regions along with the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains for lesser (yet still substantial) impacts and the Potomac/Seeley Lake & Butte/Blackfoot Regions for the least impacted.
The Flathead, Mission, Missoula & Bitterroot Valleys will see a lean towards the “snowy” side of a rain/snow mix running into early Wednesday, but temps may be a touch too warm to allow much accumulation. I'd still be mindful for slick spots during the morning hours.
A secondary cold front Thursday will bring scattered snow showers where a better chance of light accumulations areawide is possible. Highs will be in the low 30s.
Expect calmer conditions by Friday afternoon with a quiet, stable weekend on tap. Valley inversions and fog will be something to watch for.
