Summary
Our next system has already moved into the Westside Thursday morning bringing light snow at Lookout and Whitefish. This event will mainly affect the mountains west of the Divide with off an on snow through Saturday with more than a foot likely for some. East of the Divide will see fresh snow as well but with lesser totals of 2 to 4 inches.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
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Short Term Forecast
West of the Continental Divide:
Thursday: Moisture associated with a Pacific low-pressure system moving inland into BC Thursday morning is currently entering the region across northwest Montana. Widespread snow for areas along and north of I-90 will likely bring 2 to 5 inches at Whitefish with 4 to 8 at Lookout during the day. Snow will spread southeast across the rest of the region Thursday night with overnight snow totals of 4 to 8 inches for areas along and south of I-90. To the north, Whitefish, Blacktail and Turner look in the 1 to 3 inch range. Temps will stay seasonable.
Friday: Snowy skies continue with periods of snow, with the heaviest snowfall mainly around and south of I-90, with another 3 to 6 inches falling during the day. To the north at Whitefish and Blacktail and Turner, an inch or two are possible. Temps will remain seasonable across the region.
Saturday: A mix of clouds and flurries with trace amounts up to an inch possible along with continued seasonable daytime temps with highs across the upper terrain around 20 degrees. There is a good possibility that snow band could develop along the I-90 corridor and if so, areas in vicinity of I-90 could see 1 to 3 inches.
Sunday: Clearing with a mix of sun and clouds with warming daytime temps with upper mountain highs in the upper 20’s.
East of the Continental Divide:
Thursday brings sunny skies with occasional clouds across the Eastside along with below average daytime temperatures across the high terrain. Areas along the Divide will see snow showers with maybe an inch. It was 4 below at Big Sky at 7am Thursday, so it will be chilly out there. Highs across the alpine areas will be around 10 to 12 degrees with light north winds.
Friday: A weakening storm system rides through late Thursday night into Friday bringing chances of light amounts (1 to 4 inches) for Big Sky, Bridger, Showdown, and Teton Pass. Temps will continue to be cold but right around seasonable, keeping the excellent snow quality in check.
Saturday: Cloudy skies with snow showers look to be the general forecast for Saturday across the region with a skiff to a few inches possible along with continued cold daytime temps. Expect upper mountain highs of 13 to 20 degrees. To the east, Red Lodge will see cloudy skies and snow showers with an inch possible.
Sunday: High pressure brings sunny skies across the Eastside for Sunday along with slightly warmer daytime temps with highs in the low to mid 20’s across the upper terrain.
Below: The GFS animation for snowfall from Thursday morning through Sunday. Best bets are across the Bitterroots on the Idaho border. Lookout Pass will be inundated with slightly less at Lost Trail to the south.
Extended Forecast
West of the Continental Divide:
For early next week, the model runs are still not quite clear in identifying basic parameters just yet. Basically, it’s either high pressure ridging or a trough of low pressure moving through bringing stormy unsettled skies. I favor the last but we’ll be updating asap.
East of the Continental Divide:
High pressure looks to stick around early next week with a mix of sun and clouds with a few flurries likely for Monday through Wednesday. Thanks for reading.
Powder Out –
Bob
Announcements
Montana Ski Areas & Resorts / Geographical References
WEST of the Divide:
Whitefish Mountain Resort – OPEN daily
Blacktail Mountain – OPEN Weds – Sun.
Turner Mountain – OPEN Fri.-Sun.
Lookout Pass (MT/ID) -OPEN daily
Montana Snowbowl –OPEN daily
Discovery Basin –OPEN daily
Lost Trail Powder Mountain –OPEN Thurs-Sun
EAST of the Divide:
Big Sky Resort – OPEN daily
Bridger Bowl – OPEN daily
Red Lodge Mountain – OPEN daily
Great Divide – OPEN Weds – Sun.
Showdown – OPEN Weds – Sun.
Teton Pass Ski Area – NOW OPEN FRI. thru SUN.
Maverick Mountain – OPEN Thurs-Sun.– call before you go (406) 834-3454
Backcountry Avalanche Reports:
West Central Montana Avalanche Center
Flathead Avalanche Center
http://www.flatheadavalanche.org
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:
NEW: Avalanche Forecasts
Many folks have requested this over the past year and we're excited to now show avalanche forecasts for regions across North America.
You can use our map view to see a quick overview of the avalanche forecast conditions and you can also go back in time for the last 7 days to see how the avalanche conditions have changed by using the slider at the bottom of the map.
Also, we integrated the avalanche forecast into each mountain location page under a new tab called "Avalanche Forecast".
The avalanche forecasts are freely available and are the foundation of any backcountry experience. Please check these forecasts each time you head out of controlled terrain!
You can view the avalanche forecasts right now on our website and they will be live on our iPhone and Android apps very soon.
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