Bitterroot Snow, Then Bitter Cold for Western Montana

This isn't even a good news/bad news situation. And if you live in the snow-choked Bitterroot Valley it's not even that good.

National Weather Service forecasters have issued another Winter Storm Warning, the second this week for West Central Montana, warning of more heavy snow just as you've finished digging out that long driveway.

Yet at least the snowfall shouldn't last the entire day. The same can't be said for the bone-chilling cold that's snuck into the forecast for early next week.

Get our free mobile app

Are we getting more snow in Western Montana?

The short answer is "yes", and an emphatic "yes" depending on where you live.

NWS forecasters in Missoula say an incoming storm early Friday could bring anywhere from 1 to 7" of additional snow before it moves out later Friday afternoon. There's an 80% chance of those impacts in the Bitterroot Valley and 50% in Missoula. And NWS says snow totals could even be higher in the Southern Bitterroot.

This time around, the storm track looks to keep most areas from Missoula north with only light accumulations.

NWS graphic

A breather before the next impact

Saturday looks to be just a mostly cloudy day, with highs in the mid-20s. However, more snow could develop later Saturday into Sunday, although additional accumulations look to be light. Overnight lows will be anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees depending on your location.

Deep freeze next week

Although we've already had a handful of subzero days in West Central Montana the past few weeks, next week looks like the REAL winter deep freeze, with days of frigid temperatures.

By Monday, daytime highs will struggle to be in the teens for several days. But the overnights will take your breath away and sap your car battery for hard starts.

Monday through Wednesday morning, Missoula and Bitterroot mornings will start out at least as cold as -6. In the Upper Blackfoot, venturing outside in the AM will be a slap in the face at 16 below.