Full Forecast:
Headlines/Current Conditions (As of 4 p.m. Thursday)
At the moment, it is the calm before the storm, literally. Temps in the 30s throughout most of the region with cloudy skies and snow flurries starting to begin.
Most of Montana and Wyoming are under some Winter Storm Watch, Warning or Advisory.
Wind Chill Watch and Advisory for northeast Montana through Saturday. Could see wind chills at 40 below zero. Please stay indoors and keep warm. If you do have to go out, cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can set in in as little as 10 minutes.
Winter Storm Watch through Sunday night for portions of eastern Montana. Could see 4 to 8 inches of snow in places like Big Horn County, Colstrip and Forsyth.
Winter Storm Warning till Sunday night for Billings area and most of central and southcentral Montana, as well as parts of northern Wyoming. 8 to 12 inches possible with several feet of snow in the higher elevations.
Avalanche Warnings in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Cooke City areas from now and likely through much of the weekend and into next week.
Also, there is a River Warning along the Yellowstone River. Ice Jams will be possible as the temperatures drop. This could cause flooding later in the week as temperatures warm. Ranchers should move livestock and equipment to higher ground.
For everyone, travel could be very dangerous the next several days. Expect poor road conditions as well as dangerously cold temperatures.
Tonight:
Temps in the 20s, teens and single digits throughout the region.
Snow moves into almost all Montana from Canada. Many of the watches and warnings mentioned above go into effect tonight and will last through Sunday.
Tomorrow (Friday):
Temps in the 20’s and 30’s with a 90% chance of snow.
Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Billings area. 8 to 12 inches possible.
Again, many different watches and warnings will be in effect around the state.
Temps will plummet to single digits Friday night with continual snow showers.
Saturday - Thursday:
Extremely cold with snow. Temps in the teens and down below zero.
Snow will still be strong throughout most of Saturday and Sunday. By Monday though, if any snow is left in the area, it will just be a few flurries.
Cold wind chills throughout the weekend.
Temps will only make it into the teens by mid next week.
Stay safe everyone.
