No Snow For You Montana, but Watch Out For 2025

It's going to be a pretty good week for Christmas travel across most of Montana, with the exception of the mountain passes.

However, next week and the start of 2025 may change that scenario, with some of the longterm weather models suggesting a turn to more winter like weather to start the new year.

While the dry weather will bring a ray of sunshine for that post-Christmas morning walk or run, skiers should be able to enjoy some snow the second half of the week.

READ MORE: Montana still expecting cold, wet winter season

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Weather patterns haven't changed much

National Weather Service forecasters are expecting dry weather through Christmas Day, although we've been seeing snow at some of the higher elevations, and that's expected to continue into next weekend.

That's in keeping with the pattern predominating over the Northwest and Northern Rockies since the first part of December. Most of the significant storms have been moving out of Eastern Washington, and then across Northwest Montana. Yet even there, valley snow has remained light.

Christmas Day is expected to bring a mix of sun and cloud to most regions of the state.

Most passes, and those important ski areas, are expected to receive several inches, and perhaps up to a foot of snow in some locations. Snow levels may fall by Thursday or Friday, and that could bring some snow into the lower elevations.

Montana road conditions ideal for December

MDT was reporting most roads across the region were bare and dry, or with just a touch of frost, ice and scattered snow in a few locations. That's likely to change as more moisture starts to push into the Northern Rockies on Thursday. Passes, and especially those along the Montana/Idaho border could see some tricky driving in the overnight and morning hours through the weekend.

What about 2025 weather in Montana

It's still too soon to call for sure, but some of the weather models are showing a trend to colder weather starting January. Daytime highs look to remain below freezing west of the Divide, and even colder in Eastern Montana. If moisture arrives, that may finally bring some snow to the valleys.