December 17 – Close the shutters and decorate for Christmas, Kalispell.
A rapidly moving weather disturbance is expected to hit Northwest Montana with strong winds, snow and freezing rain Wednesday through Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Missoula is warning of westerly winds near 60 mph across the area between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Residents should expect broken tree limbs and damage to power lines in Lincoln and Flathead counties.
The wind will be strong enough to pull down or damage Christmas decorations and other loose items. High profile vehicles should expect difficult travel on US 93 due to crosswinds.
Snow will be an issue east of US 93 from 6am to 6pm on Wednesday. Up to 3 inches is possible along US 2 east of West Glacier, with more at Marias Pass south of Glacier National Park.
“Forecast models show a 70-80% chance of 6 inches or more of snow accumulating above 5,000 feet in northwest Montana,” the Weather Service noted in its forecast discussion Tuesday.
That includes the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort, where 6 to 12 inches of fresh powder is possible by Wednesday evening.
The snow in combination with the wind causes periods of blowing snow in the afternoon.
Lower elevations of Northwestern Montana may experience freezing rain as snow levels rise to between 4,000 and 5,000 feet during the day. High temperatures in the Flathead Valley will reach the low 40s on Wednesday.
Things settled down heading into Christmas week.
“Looking ahead, a ridge of high pressure is expected to form over the northern Rockies on Thursday and Friday, increasing the chance of fog and low stratus clouds each day,” the forecast said. “About 65% of forecast models suggest the ridge will persist until Christmas Eve.”
