Another Canadian Weather System to bring Widespread Snow

Montana Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest Montana Daily Snow

By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 4 years ago April 14, 2020

Summary

Tuesday night into Wednesday moderate to heavy snow will fall across most mountain ranges East of the Divide with slightly lesser amounts falling on certain ranges closer to the Divide along the Westside. In a non-Coronavirus year, most Montana resorts and ski areas are closed by mid-April so I feel the timing is right for this to be my last post of the 2019/2020 season. Thanks so much for reading this season! REMINDER: Out of state, and out of town visitors are not welcome across Montana’s mountain communities due to the COVID-19 health emergency. I live in Whitefish and our mayor has instituted a no-visitors policy to hotels, rentals, and second homeowners to avoid an outbreak such as they have in Sun Valley Idaho. All Montanans are under a Stay at Home order through April 24th but are allowed to recreate as long as they stay local. If recreating please insure that it is a low-risk activity to avoid any possible injury that may stress health providers and/or first responders. My forecasts are for informative purposes only.

Short Term Forecast

West of the Continental Divide:

Looks like a rerun of this past weekend’s forecast as another Canadian system will push cold air and snow from north to south starting Tuesday night. This system will initially move through NW Montana tonight and then progress south through the region early Wednesday morning. Once again, the heaviest snowfall looks to fall on mountain ranges to the east and central portions of the Westside. The southern Swan Range, Flint Creek Range, Pintlers and Rattlesnakes could bring in 4-8” through Wednesday evening while the Bitterroots (mainly Lolo Pass south) could see 3-6”. To the north, the Whitefish Range will see lesser amounts of 1-3” possible with 2-5” in the Marias/Essex area. This is all great news as we continue to build a healthy snowpack heading into the warmer and fire prone months. Daytime high temperatures at 6000’ Wednesday will be cooler, mainly in the upper 20’s to around freezing. NE winds of 15-25mph will also be present on Wednesday across ridge tops.

Sunny skies look on track for both Thursday and Friday with highs at 6000’ ranging in the low to mid 30’s Thursday and into the low 40’s on Friday. Winds will generally be light on both days.

East of the Continental Divide:

A spattering of Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings have been issued for most mountain ranges (and valleys) east of the Continental Divide for tonight through Wednesday evening. Another push of Canadian air is currently making its way south into the Treasure State creating potential for moderate to heavy snow this evening and lasting through the day on Wednesday. The Bridger, Gallatin, and Madison ranges should see around 5-10” with 4-8” in the Little Belts as well as the mountains in the vicinity of Rogers Pass. The Beartooth’s should also see 4-8” by Wednesday night. Mountain temperatures on Wednesday across the Eastside will see afternoon highs ranging in the mid to upper 20’s at 8000’. Moderate north winds in the range of 15-25mph will be prevalent across the ridges and alpine areas on Wednesday.

High pressure builds in for a couple of sunny days on Thursday and Friday. Thursday will see high temps at 8000’ stay just below freezing before things warm up slightly on Friday with highs approaching 40.

The latest River Basin Snowpack Percentages across Montana look very good!

Extended Forecast

West of the Continental Divide:

A weak system looks to brush the Westside on Saturday bringing in a few clouds and perhaps a stray shower under partly sunny skies. The sun returns along with above average temps for Sunday through Monday next week.

East of the Continental Divide:

A small disturbance rolls in on Saturday bringing mainly clouds and a slight chance of mountain showers with highs at 8000’ in the upper 30’s to low 40’s. A mix of sun and clouds look in store for Sunday and Monday with daytime high temperatures rising into the low to mid 40’s at 8000’.

Stay well, be safe and respect others. Wishing everyone a swift return to a “normal” Montana lifestyle as well as a smoke-free summer to enjoy our mountains, lakes and rivers. Powder Out!