MISSOULA — A system will bring widespread rain and breezy winds to northwest Montana along with locations west of Missoula Thursday. For northwest Montana winds could gust around 35-45 mph. A Lake Wind Advisory has been issued for Flathead Lake. Strong winds will create choppy lake conditions and 2-5 ft. waves.
A few of these showers may reach Missoula, however, most locations from Missoula south will stay dry. Expect highs in the 50s to low 60s with some breezy winds at times as winds gust around 20-25 mph.
Showers stay primarily in northwest Montana again Friday while west-central and southwest Montana stay mostly dry. Temperatures will be slightly cooler topping out in the 40s to low 50s.
Temperatures will continue to drop through the weekend. Highs Saturday will top out in the 40s with rain showers becoming more widespread for west-central and southwest Montana.
Saturday night into Sunday the coldest air arrives. As it does rain will transition to snow for all locations across western Montana. Snow of 6"-to-12" looks likely for mountain passes with widespread valley accumulations of 1"-to-3" possible. We will be able to fine tune this forecast and bring a more detailed snow forecast as we move closer to the weekend.
Looking at next week below average temperatures will stick around with highs only in the 20s and 30s. Periodic snow showers will be possible as well throughout the week.
