BOZEMAN – This crazy weather pattern continues across Montana Sunday. Record breaking snow totals and numerous record cold lows.
Most of Montana could end up in the top 10 for snowiest Octobers and numerous areas both west and east of the divide could be in the top 5 snowiest. Great Falls is now ranked #1 or snowiest with a total of 28”, Helena #2, Bozeman MSU #9.
Missoula Sunday morning set an impressive record low of -7°. That is a daily record low, an all-time coldest October low and the earliest below zero low on record.
Sunday night into Monday morning it’s Butte’s turn. The National Weather Service is forecasting a low for Butte Monday morning of -27°. The current all-time record low for October in Butte is -23° Oct. 30, 1991.
Bozeman MSU your all-time record low for October is -10° on Oct. 30, 1935. Forecast low for Monday is also -10°.
Roads across Montana are snow-covered, snow-packed, and very icy. As we transition into a gradual warming trend with a stronger west to SW flow surface winds will be increasing Monday into Tuesday.
This will produce areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility Monday and Tuesday especially in wind prone areas. Right now the National Weather Service has a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY up tonight through noon Tuesday for the front range down into the upper Yellowstone region.
Wind chills across the state will be extremely cold as well Monday morning. In general, feels like temperatures could be -20° to -30° even with a light 5 to 15 mph wind. Bundle up and try to limit your outdoor exposure.
Now for the good news. Forecast temperatures could jump up into the 50s by Thursday or Friday. This should greatly improve traveling conditions but we will be watching for rapidly melting snow in the lower valleys with minor side effects.
