Montana Daily Snow
By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 4 years ago March 27, 2020
Stay Local Montana
Update
Governor Steve Bullock has announced a “Stay at Home” order that will go into effect on Saturday, March 28th for the duration of two-weeks, expiring on Friday, April 10th. This pretty much closes all backcountry and ski area uphill/skinning across the state of Montana. Exercise is still an option, but it needs to stay local in your community with the ever present social distancing if out in groups. Suffice to say, it is truly in everyone’s best interest to stay local, go for a hike or cycle, and we will all literally ride this thing out. This pandemic is bigger than our individual cravings for powder and adventure. I will now be limiting my forecasts to a few times a week for mainly informational purposes.
West of the Continental Divide:
Friday night snow showers will bring a few inches to areas above 4500’ mainly from Lolo Pass to Lookout Pass with the Rattlesnake Range included. Snow showers taper on Saturday to a mostly cloudy day with daytime high temps of 32-35 degrees at 6000’ (7500’ at Lost Trail Pass). Expect cloudy skies on Sunday with similar daytime high temps. A more organized system moves into NW and West Central Montana on Sunday night and looks to bring light snow into the day on Monday. Cumulative Snowfall amounts of 3-6” are possible above 5000’ across mainly the Whitefish, Northern Bitterroots, Missions and Rattlesnake Ranges by Monday night. Midday freeze/thaw levels this weekend will vary greatly across the Westside but generally will be around 6500’ to the north and 7500’ south.
Looking ahead unsettled weather looks to continue from Tuesday through Wednesday next week along with below seasonal averages daytime temps. Weak systems will move in and out both days with light accumulations possible.
East of the Continental Divide:
Clouds will return Friday night from west to east as a weak wave of energy encroaches into the region. A few flurries should be expected during the day on Saturday with generally cloudy skies across the region. Temps on Saturday will be about 5 degrees warmer than Friday with light SW winds. Mid-afternoon freeze/thaw levels should generally range around 7500’, with 9000’ in the Beartooth’s. Sunday morning expect a mix of sun and clouds before another weak wave moves in during the afternoon hours bringing widespread snow showers and perhaps a skiff to an inch across the mountains of SW Montana. Plan on moderate south winds on Sunday around 10-20mph with warmer high temps of 33-35 degrees at 8000’ (+10 degrees in Beartooth’s).
A warm and dry forecast is projected for Monday before a cold front arrives Tuesday bringing temps back down to below seasonal averages. The cold front will trigger a little instability across the region with snow showers and light amounts possible on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Be well and thanks again for reading.
Powder Out -
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
Flathead Avalanche Center
http://www.flatheadavalanche.org
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:
Montana Ski Areas & Resorts / Geographical References
WEST of the Divide:
Whitefish Mountain Resort – Closed
Blacktail Mountain – Closed
Turner Mountain – Closed
Lookout Pass (MT/ID) - Closed
Montana Snowbowl –Closed
Discovery Basin – Closed
Lost Trail Powder Mountain – Closed
EAST of the Divide:
Big Sky Resort – Closed
Bridger Bowl – Closed
Red Lodge Mountain – Closed
Great Divide – Closed
Showdown – Closed
Teton Pass Ski Area – Closed
Maverick Mountain – Closed