TLDR: Snow will return to western Montana and north central Idaho this weekend. Temperatures will be warm enough during the day to keep accumulations light, slushy, and mixed with rain for valleys.
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Over the weekend, there is a 40 to 70% chance of 1 inch or more for western Montana valleys and a 20 to 40% chance for lower valleys in north central Idaho. Higher snowfall amounts of 6” or more are plausible (40-50% chance) for the Seeley/Swan valleys. The best potential for travel impacts on valley roadways will be in the overnight and early morning hours (especially Saturday night into Sunday morning) when slushy snow may better accumulate and wet roads from daytime snow may turn to ice.
Mountains and mountain passes during this time frame will see periods of moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly Saturday night into Sunday. The main focus of snowfall will be across the Clearwater and Bitterroot Mountains into northwest Montana where there is a 40 to 60% chance of receiving 4 to 8 inches of snowfall. The terrain near the Continental Divide, in particular the Swan, Mission and Rattlesnake Ranges, have high chances (50 to 70% chance) of receiving between 1 to 2 feet of snow. Be prepared for icy and snow packed roads across mountain passes, including Lookout, Marias, and Lolo Passes.
Original source can be found here.
