MISSOULA — Monday will start off clear and cold with temperatures in the single digits and teens. By the afternoon, clouds will increase with a few light snow showers or flurries possible. Highs today will top out in the upper 20's to low 30's.
Tuesday will see mostly to partly sunny skies throughout the day with highs remaining in the 20's and 30's.
Active weather returns to the forecast Wednesday as a significant plume of moisture moves off the Pacific and into the northern Rockies through Friday.
Initially, temperatures will stay cool enough for snow to fall in all elevations. Several inches look possible in the valleys of western Montana by Wednesday afternoon. The mountains could see moderate to heavy snow with up to a foot possible.
Late Wednesday afternoon valleys will start to see snow change over to a rain/snow mix. Warming temperatures will keep precipitation in valleys as rain/snow or all rain Thursday and Friday as highs warm into the low and middle 40's.
The mountains on the other hand look to stay snow during this entire event. Snow amounts of 2-to-3 ft. look possible for the Bitterroot, Mission and Clearwater ranges through Friday.
Looking at the weekend, models are showing another round of valley rain/snow and mountain snow Saturday. Drier weather is then expected to move in Sunday. Highs will top out in the upper 30's to low 40's Saturday and middle to upper 30's Sunday.
