Below: It was a blower weekend at Big Sky. Snow returns Thursday at Big Sky. Image: BSR 

West of the Continental Divide:

Tuesday: Mainly sunny with increasing clouds west to east into the afternoon. Temps continue to be below late March averages with upper mountain highs in the upper 20’s to low 30’s across the region. Light E/NE winds. 

Wednesday & Thursday: As a large storm system moves north to south along the West Coast it will send a W/SW flow of weak disturbances into the region. Snowfall will mainly affect areas along and south of the I-90 corridor with areas to the north seeing some clouds and an isolated snow shower. Snow looks to start during the late afternoon/evening hours on Wednesday at Disco, LT, and Snowbowl and continue into Thursday. The snowfall will be showery in nature, with off and on periods through the day on Thursday. LT looks like the best bet for 3 – 6” with 2 – 4” possible at Disco and Snowbowl through Thursday night. A slight warmup on Wednesday with mountain top highs in the mid to upper 30’s, then slightly cooler on Thursday with highs in the low 30’s. Light SE winds.

Friday & Saturday: Clouds will be on the increase on Friday as our next storm system approaches the region out of the NW. Possibly some afternoon flurries at Lookout but generally a cloudy day with isolated sunny spells. A trough of low-pressure with origins in the Gulf of Alaska will begin to spread through the region Saturday afternoon bringing periods of snow lasting into Saturday night. Currently, Lookout Pass looks best positioned for storm totals (thru Saturday night) of 6 – 12”, with 3 – 7” at Snowbowl and Lost Trail, with 1 – 3” at Whitefish and Disco. Cooler than average temps both days.   

East of the Continental Divide: 

Tuesday: Flurries from a weak disturbance moving south of the Montana border will be likely at Big Sky and possibly Red Lodge, otherwise mainly cloudy skies will be prevalent across the eastside. Continued cold with highs reaching into the low 20’s at 8000’. Light SW winds.

Wednesday & Thursday: After a benign cloudy day on Wednesday with slightly warmer temps a deep storm system circulating along the West Coast will begin to send a W/SW flow into the region. Moisture embedded in this flow will bring accumulating snowfall, albeit in off and on periods beginning Wednesday night and lasting through the day on Thursday. The heaviest snowfall looks to be across SW areas and resorts with Big Sky, Bridger, and Red Lodge best positioned for moderate storm totals in the 3 – 7” range through Thursday evening. Areas to the north, mainly GD and Showdown could see 1 – 3”. A slight warmup on Wednesday with 8000’ highs in the upper 20’s to low 30’s. Cooler Thursday, with highs in the low to mid 20’s at 8000’. Variable light winds.

Friday & Saturday: Generally, a mostly cloudy dry day on Friday across the region as a short-lived ridge builds in. Some moisture may bring snow showers at Big Sky on Friday with trace amounts possible. A mix of sun and clouds Saturday morning before clouds increase Saturday afternoon as a trough of low-pressure with origins in the Gulf of Alaska spreads through the region. Periods of snow develop Saturday afternoon across SW and North Central areas lasting through Saturday night. Big Sky, Bridger, and Showdown look best positioned for storm totals (thru Saturday night) of 3 – 6”, with trace amounts to an inch elsewhere. Temps will be right around seasonal averages both days.  

Below: National Blend Model for snowfall through Midnight on Sunday 4/2. It's shaping up to be a snowy weekend across the Northern Rockies.

 

Sunday, April 2nd – Wednesday, April 5th 

Widespread periods of snow and much cooler temps for Sunday as a cold-front pushes across the Northern Rockies. Still a bit early for pinpoint details but accumulations of generally 2 – 5” are likely for most resorts and ski areas across the state. Models agree on a deep trough of low–pressure to be draped across the Northern Rockies possibly lasting through the middle of next week. This trough will allow Pacific moisture to flow across the NR keeping the skies unsettled with daily light accumulating snowfall likely through Wednesday the 5th of April. Cooler than average temps through the extended period. Stay tuned. 

Below: The Euro Deterministic forecast map begins Friday with a storm system rolling out of the NW. This trough expands and deepens Sunday through Wednesday 4/5 keeping daily accumulating snowfall possible across the Northern Rockies. 

 
 

Thanks for tuning in. Storm update on Thursday 3/30.  

Powder Out – 

Bob