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Strong cold front to hit Montana Tuesday and Wednesday

Posted at 1:55 PM, Dec 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-17 15:55:02-05

BOZEMAN – Similar weather from last week is expected again this week. Temperatures should remain near to slightly above normal through Wednesday but another strong cold front to produce mountain snow and stronger surface winds across the state.

The areas of greatest concern for traveling will be mountain passes along the MT/ID state line especially Lookout Pass on I-90. The combination for moderate to heavy snow and gusty winds will produce hazardous travel as a cold front passes through Tuesday into Wednesday.

Other hazards will be strong winds in high wind prone areas along the Rocky Mountain Front down into the Livingston area. Gusts to or over 60 mph are possible and power outages and property damage is possible.

Locally high wind prone areas of concern will be the Whitehall, Three Forks, Ennis and Norris Hill, Livingston and Big Timber areas.

HIGH WIND WATCH

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch from early Tuesday morning into late Wednesday morning.

The potential is high for strong damaging wind gusts over 60 mph with sustained winds 30 to 40 mph.

Areas impacted will be central counties of Montana from the Rocky Mountain Front out to Lewistown and along the I-90 corridor from Whitehall to Three Forks and again from Bozeman pass to Livingston to Big Timber.

WINTER STORM WATCH

Conditions look favorable for periods of heavy snow to impact travel along the MT/ID state line, Rocky Mountain Front and over into the Idaho panhandle.

Areas impacted: Mountain passes like Lookout Pass on I-90, Lolo pass and Lost Trail pass as well as passes along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Upslope flow will slow a powerful storm down and could produce 1′ to 2′ feet of higher mountain snow along with strong winds over 30 mph. This will greatly impact travel at times Tuesday into Wednesday.

Winter Storm Watch

City by City Forecast:

BOZEMAN: LOW: 23°; HIGH TUESDAY: 41°. Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for snow early tonight and partial clearing by sunrise. Tuesday increasing clouds, rain or snow and strong surface winds. By afternoon look for SW winds to increase between 25 to 35 mph and gusting over 40 mph.

BUTTE: LOW: 16°; HIGH TUESDAY: 37°.  Mostly with a slight chance for mountain snow early this evening and then clearing overnight. Tuesday increasing clouds with rain or snow off and on throughout the day and snow is likely over nearby mountain passes. Surface winds will increase 15 to 30 mph and gusting over 40 mph at times.

DILLON: LOW: 20°; HIGH TUESDAY: 42°. Cloudy early tonight with partial clearing overnight. Clouds roll back in by late morning and there is a slight chance for a little valley rain or snow Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. Mountain snow is likely Tuesday into Wednesday. Surface winds tonight 10 to 20 mph but increasing Tuesday afternoon 15 to 30 gusting to 40+ mph.

WEST YELLOWSTONE: LOW: 16°; HIGH TUESDAY: 28°. Mostly cloudy tonight with a slight chance for snow. Next weather maker will arrive Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday and produce periods of snow with accumulations around 2″ – 4″ along with surface winds 10 to 20 mph. This will impact travel over nearby mountain passes Tuesday evening into Wednesday.