Below: High-resolution model for snowfall across the Treasure State shows the cold-front moving through the state over the weekend bringing heavy accumulations along the Idaho border on the west side of the Divide and moderate accumulations across West Central and southern portions of SW Montana. 

West of the Continental Divide: 

Saturday: A low-pressure trough and associated cold front with origins in the Gulf of Alaska is spreading through the region Saturday bringing gusty winds, colder temps, and off and on periods of light snow. This system has moved into NW Montana (Lookout, Blacktail, Whitefish) Saturday morning and will spread southeast through the rest of the region by late afternoon/evening. Instability behind the cold front will likely bring intense snow showers called snow bands along the I-90 corridor Saturday evening/night adding more snow. Lookout Pass looks best positioned for storm totals (thru Saturday night) of 6 – 12”, with 3 - 5” at Snowbowl, and 2 – 4” at Whitefish and Lost Trail. Trace amounts up to 2” at Disco and Blacktail. Cooler than average temps with upper mountain high temps 24 – 28F. Gusty SW winds Saturday with ridgetop gusts to 35 mph. 

Sunday: Unstable surface conditions with cloudy skies and lingering snow showers, along with much cooler temps lie in the wake of the departing cold front on Sunday. Lookout and Snowbowl could add another inch or two during Sunday morning. Elsewhere, mostly cloudy skies and isolated snow showers with trace amounts to an inch possible. Mountain top high temps on Sunday in the low to mid 20’s. Light to moderate west winds. 

Monday – Wednesday: Unsettled. NW flow aloft drops another Pacific trough of low-pressure that will follow a similar track to many recent March storm systems dropping south into California and through the Great Basin. A ‘skip in the record’ forecast of a series of weak disturbances that look to break northward from this parent storm, affecting yet again the mountains along and south of the I-90 corridor with light accumulations through the period. Cooler than average temps through Wednesday. 

East of the Continental Divide: 

Saturday: Cloudy skies on Saturday morning will give way to snow showers, along with gusty SW winds Saturday afternoon as a trough of Alaskan cold front spreads through the region. SW and North Central areas will see periods of off and on snowfall Saturday late afternoon continuing into the overnight hours. Big Sky, Bridger, and Showdown still look best positioned for storm totals through Saturday night of 3 – 5”, with trace amounts to an inch elsewhere. Highs in the low to mid 20’s at 8000’. Breezy, with moderate SW winds, with ridgetop gusts to 45 mph likely Saturday afternoon at Big Sky and Showdown.  

Sunday: Cold. Lingering snow showers persist through the day on Sunday as instability behind the cold front brings chances of an additional 1 – 2” at Big Sky and Red Lodge. Elsewhere, general clearing with a mix of mostly cloudy skies with some sunny spells. Darn cold for April 2nd with highs at 8000’ in the mid to upper teens. Moderate west winds persist with gusts to 35 mph on ridgetops brings daytime wind chills to below zero values through most of the day. Bundle up. 

Monday – Wednesday: Monday looks to offer up a mix of sun and clouds with decreasing winds. A NW flow aloft will bring cloudy skies and periods of snow showers Tuesday and Wednesday, mainly across SW Montana at Big Sky and Bridger where light accumulations are possible. Latest model runs are still trending for another significant dump of snowfall at Red Lodge with 6 – 12” possible Monday night through Tuesday. Stay tuned. Continued cooler than average temps into Wednesday. 

Thursday, April 6th  – Sunday, April 9th 

High-pressure is progged to build in on Thursday across the Northern Rockies and likely sticking around through next weekend. Dry skies, warming temps, and a return to normal April spring conditions. Temps should hit seasonal early April averages by next Thursday and Friday, warming above average through next weekend. 

Below: Climate Prediction Center's 8 - 14 Day Outlook reflects the strong ridge of high-pressure building in across the West starting next Thursday. 

 

Thanks for tuning in. Next update on Monday 4/3.  

Powder Out – 

Bob