Montana Daily Snow
By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago January 22, 2018
A Barrage of Small Storms
Update
West of the Divide:
The “barrage” of small storms setting up in the Pacific is still on target to hit the region but the timing has speeded up a bit. In actuality, the progressive westerly flow started last night and is in progress today (Monday AM) especially along MT/ID border where Lookout and Lost Trail have already received around 3-4” and it should continue all day. Tuesday looks to be the only non-snow day this week with a cloudy/sunny mix with seasonal daytime temps. Tuesday night into Wednesday and lasting all day, another dose of moderate snow with around 4-8” by last chair (again – the most accumulations along the ID border). Note that snow levels will be increasing during the afternoon on Wednesday so the snow will definitely be of the wetter variety. Thursday a cold front will move into the area lowering snow levels back down to the valleys with another 2-4” likely through the day with temps on the decrease into the mid 20’s. Northwest flow then sets up keeping light snow in the forecast into Sunday when yet again another active westerly flow looks to keep the powder conveyor belt active into Tuesday.
East of the Divide:
This morning snow will continue at Big Sky with another few inches likely through the day today with temps staying rather cold in the mid teens all day. Elsewhere maybe a few snow showers through the day with possibly an inch at Bridger. High pressure ridging is back for Tuesday and Wednesday with clear skies and a gradual warming of daytime temps – especially Wednesday when it might rise above freezing. Thursday is now looking somewhat better for measurable snow with the passing of a Canadian cold front but only in the 3-6” range. A northwest flow then sets up on Friday bringing snow showers into the forecast through the weekend and into early next week. Big Sky is generally in a great position when a NW is active. I’ll keep watching the weather – so stay tuned for updates this week.
Snowfall graphic below from today (Monday) thru Thursday. Pink(s) are around a foot or more (cumulative) and blues are around the 6" range.
Announcements
Backcountry Reports:
West Central Montana Avalanche Center
Flathead Avalanche Center
http://www.flatheadavalanche.org
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:
Geography Key :
WEST of the Continental Divide
Montana Snowbowl, Discovery Basin, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Lookout Pass, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Blacktail Mountain, Turner Mountain
EAST of the Continental Divide
Big Sky Resort, Bridger Bowl, Red Lodge Mountain, Maverick Mountain, Great Divide, Showdown