Wintry blast expected tomorrow afternoon into Saturday morning

Northwest Montana will see a wintry blast Friday afternoon and into Saturday, as an arctic front is expected to spill over the Divide.

Snow amounts could vary greatly locally — as high as 5 inches or as low as an inch or less, according to the National Weather Service in Missoula.

Snow amounts will depend on the timing of the cold air as it spills over the Divide. If it comes quickly, the snow amounts will be less, as the cold air is drier. But if it stalls, snow amounts will be higher. Marias Pass could see up to 9 inches of snow.

The storm will also have brisk winds with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range. Travel through the Bad Rock Canyon could get treacherous Friday night.

The heaviest snow is predicted to be along the Highway 200 corridor.

Winds should diminish Saturday, but it will be quite cold. Sunday morning could see low temperatures of 4 below zero in Polebridge, with single digits in Columbia Falls.

The cold air will linger through early to mid next week, though it should be sunny, with daytime highs in the high 20s and low 30s. By Wednesday, the high temperature should be a more seasonable 40 degrees.