Forecasted icing will make travel difficult

The National Weather Service in Missoula expects ice to be the main weather impact over the next week.

Freezing rain is forecasted as several weak disturbances in a relatively warm air mass will bring periods of light rain over the next week.

“Whether that rain freezes or not will be very dependent on the location and time of day it falls,” NWS forecasters said. “Overnight and morning rain is most likely to freeze, while afternoon showers most likely will not.”

Valleys, especially in western Montana, are most likely to be affected by freezing rain. Only brief periods of freezing rain are expected, lasting from two to four hours.

NWS also forecasts a melting and refreeze cycle.

“Temperatures will frequently rise above freezing during the day and drop into the 20s overnight,” NWS forecasters said. “This will allow daily melting of accumulated snow and ice that refreezes on surfaces overnight, causing slick conditions.”

Valleys of western Montana are expected to be most impacted by this surface icing, but higher elevation roads are also susceptible.

“Despite the lack of a strong weather system for the next several days, we are concerned that the ice issues may cause travel difficulties that are unexpected due to the relatively benign weather,” NWS forecasters said.