Frigid blast misses area, more snow predicted

The frigid blast expected to bring near record-setting cold temperatures over the weekend missed the Havre area a bit, though more snow fell — later than predicted — and more is expected in north-central Montana this week.

The storm that dumped snow and ice across most of the country over the weekend skipped this part of the nation, although snow dumped in other parts of the state. The storm named “Titan” by Weather Channel is expected to wind up this evening, but another storm will bring more snow to Montana this week.

The arctic air that pushed into north-central Montana was expected to potentially break records for low temperatures Friday and Saturday, with about 1 to 3 inches of new snow expected Thursday through Saturday.

While temperatures dropped well below zero — with colder temperatures from farther west along the Hi-Line to Chester Saturday — the records of minus 30 for Havre Friday and minus 26 for Saturday were not broken. Havre recorded lows of minus 10 and minus 18 for Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Chester recorded a low of minus 4 Friday and minus 24 Saturday.

Meanwhile, snow did hit the Havre area Sunday, with more than three inches of new snow dumping in Havre itself.

Meanwhile, the weather this week — which was predicted last week by AccuWeather to jump to highs in the 40s — now is expected to warm but not as high as the next winter storm brings more precipitation.

Weather Service predicts warmer weather today with highs near 15 degrees, a low near 7 and a high Tuesday about 36. The service also predicts about a 20 percent chance of snow or rain showers through Tuesday.

By Thursday and Friday, the highs are expected to hit into the 20s as the chance of snow increases. AccuWeather lists a prediction of 2 inches to 4 inches of new snow for Wednesday through Thursday night.

By Saturday, the prediction of precipitation drops off as the forecast highs jump back into the 30s or 40s, even the 50s predicted for Sunday by AccuWeather.