Cold, windy and snowy front is moving in
The National Weather Service in Missoula is forecasting that a cold, windy, snow-producing weather system will move through the region beginning tonight.
The main impacts will include gusty northeasterly winds tonight and again on Wednesday, causing choppy conditions on area lakes and difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles.
Forecasters are also calling for accumulating snow in the higher elevations of Glacier National Park on Wednesday and Wednesday night. Logan and Marias passes could have accumulating snow on the roadways, with 1 to 3 inches possible by Wednesday night, 5 to 7 inches of snow likely at 7,000 feet, and light, non-accumulating snow possible between 4,000 and 5,000 feet.
Temperatures will be dramatically cooler on Wednesday and Thursday, with maximum temperatures in the valleys in the 40s and 50s.
The first cold front is forecasted to push southward out of Alberta on Monday night through Tuesday, causing gusty northeasterly winds later this evening and overnight.
The strongest winds are anticipated at Bad Rock Canyon near Columbia Falls. These winds will push over Flathead Lake, creating choppy conditions by Tuesday morning. This first front will bring precipitation to the areas along the Continental Divide. Snow levels will drop but accumulations will be light.
Forecasters say the timing of the second front is uncertain at this time but is likely during the day on Wednesday. The second front will cause another surge of cold air to be pushed into the area out of British Columbia and Alberta.
The northeasterly winds will once again blow through Bad Rock Canyon and over Flathead Lake. This front is expected to have more moisture and will result in more significant snow in the Glacier Park area, so a winter weather advisory has been issued.
The system will move out of the region by late Thursday into Thursday night, allowing for skies to clear. The presence of a cold air mass and clear skies should cause minimum temperatures to drop into the 20s and low 30s across much of Western Montana by Friday morning.