West of the Divide:

Snowfall has been selective across the West region over the last 2 days. Lost Trail has received up to 16” but Whitefish nothing. Lookout in the middle had about 10” yesterday. It just depends where you are when these impulses enter into the West side of the Divide. For the next few days temps will continue to run about 10 degrees below average with continued snow showers as the result of the unstable moist Pacific air mixing in with the cold air streaming in from Canada. Sunday afternoon a larger, more organized impulse will hit the region with anywhere from 3-6” widespread across the region including Whitefish with perhaps a little more at Lost Trail and Lookout on the Bitterroot Crest. Further out, the models are hinting at another round of subtropical moisture tapping into Northwest Montana that could dump substantial amounts at Whitefish on Wednesday into Thursday next week.

 

East of the Divide:

Showdown in the Little Belt Mountains of south central Montana has had the most snow of the East of the Divide resorts over the last few days with over 10”. Expect scattered snow showers and below average temps to continue all day Saturday across the region from Teton Pass south to Big Sky. Another weak system will encroach into southwest portions of the region Saturday night into all day Sunday that has potential for at least a few inches for Big Sky and Bridger (up to 4” at some spots). Sunday night into Monday the snow showers will start to diminish but it will continue to be below average as far as mountain daytime temps are concerned.Tuesday and Wednesday it looks like an Alberta clipper will descend into the region bringing temps up a bit with increasing chances of snow showers but unfortunately nothing too significant. Stay tuned, I’ll update the forecast on Monday.

Backcountry Reports:

 

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

http://missoulaavalanche.org 

 

Flathead Avalanche Center

 http://www.flatheadavalanche.org

 

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

http://www.mtavalanche.com

 

Geography Key :

 WEST of the Continental Divide

Montana Snowbowl, Discovery Basin, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Lookout Pass, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Blacktail Mountain, Turner Mountain, Marias Pass/Glacier NP, Jewel Basin

 

EAST of the Continental Divide

Big Sky Resort, Bridger Bowl, Red Lodge, Maverick Mountain, Great Divide, Showdown, Teton Pass