Montana Daily Snow

Summary

Out of state, and out of town visitors are not welcome across all mountain communities throughout Montana due to the COVID-19 health emergency. Montanans have a Stay at Home order through April 10th but can recreate in their own backyard as long as they are low-risk activities in order to not stress health providers and first responders. My forecasts are for informational purposes only.

Short Term Forecast

West of the Continental Divide:   

A few lightening strikes were observed Tuesday afternoon along the southern edge of the Whitefish Range along with intense snow showers that dropped around 4” above 5500’. A closed low over Alberta will keep drawing Pacific moisture into the region Tuesday night through Wednesday with another 3-6” likely across NW and West Central Montana’s mountains with 1-3” across the southern Bitterroots. Temps Wednesday will be about 10 degrees below seasonal averages. A weak system rolls through Friday afternoon/evening with chances of a few inches for mountains north of I-90. Temps continue cold through the short term.

East of the Continental Divide:

The same weather system(s) affecting the Westside will bring moderate to heavy snow across the Little Belts, Bridger’s, Madison’s and Beartooth’s Tuesday night through Thursday morning. Totals of 6-10” are likely above 7000’ along with moderate NW winds. Temps will be colder above 7000’ on Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the low 20’s. A mixed bag of sun and clouds on Friday with continued daytime temps in the low to mid 20’s.

The snowpacks across Montana look healthy and will continue to grow over the next week:

Extended Forecast

West of the Continental Divide:

Looking ahead, unsettled weather looks to continue through the weekend with continued colder than average temperatures. Even into the middle of next week, small disturbances will continue to move in and out of the region along with cold temps.

East of the Continental Divide:

Unsettled weather looks to continue into the weekend with scattered flurries and colder than average temperatures. This pattern looks to continue well into next week along with colder than average temperatures.

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Announcements

Help Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts:

https://opensnow.com/news/post/help-support-covid-19-relief-efforts

 

Backcountry Avalanche 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