High pressure kept us dry and mostly clear throughout the morning and early afternoon hours today (Friday).
More clouds are developing across Western Montana this evening, and the breeze is also picking up.
Breezy conditions and clouds will remain in our forecast this evening which is a sign of our incoming cold front.
Big changes move into the forecast after the first cold front moves through this evening.
Around 6 PM the first cold front pushes in from the northwest corner of the state.
Wind will increase and even valleys could clock gusts around 35-40 MPH.
Some snow starts falling in upper elevations across the divide, but it will not be until the second cold front moves through that widespread precipitation develops.
The second cold font will move through during the late hours of tonight/ early morning hours of Saturday.
This means we could see widespread snow in upper elevations and mixing of rain and snow even in the lowest valleys.
Cooler weather settles in behind this second cold front and the wind remains in our forecast through the afternoon hours of Saturday.
This means if you- or someone you know- is traveling over passes over the divide to get to the Griz game Saturday morning, please be aware roads could be slick and blowing/drifting snow will cause reduction in visibility at times.
Plan to bring some dry layers and a rain/snow coat to the Griz game as temperatures will be in the mid -30s from tailgating time through the 4th quarter.
Snow accumulation is expected to be less than on inch in the Kalispell, Missoula, and Hamilton valleys.
Passes and upper elevations closer to the divide will once again see the most snow totals- which will be about 2-4.”
Sunday high pressure will move back in and clear out remaining precipitation and clouds, but cooler air from the north will also settle in.
Temperatures next week will be anywhere from 5-10 degrees below average with overnight temperatures dropping as low as the upper single digits and teens.
