Cold weather expected to warm by next week

Winter has hit hard in Montana, dumping up to a foot of snow in parts of the state this week.

According to The Associated Press, the National Weather Service reported snowfall totals from Sunday through Tuesday that include 12 inches near Roundup in Musselshell County, 11 inches at Silver Gate in Park County, about 10 inches in the Hardin area in Big Horn County and about 7 inches in the Billings area.

Don Emanuel, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Great Falls, said the weather in the Havre area is expected to be cold for the next several days.

"We are looking at 19 below for a low tonight possibly and only a high of 4 tomorrow," he said.

Emanuel also said warmer temperatures are expected next week.

"By Tuesday, we're back up to 27," he said. "By the middle of next week, temperatures should be up around the freezing mark - maybe even above freezing."

Emanuel added that since the beginning of 2015 Havre has received 5 inches of snowfall.

Jerry Otto, road supervisor of the Hill County Road Department, said his crews plow the outskirts of towns where people travel.

"I have a good experienced crew and they're doing a great job," he said. "They've been plowing snow for 10-12 years - some for 20 years."

Otto also said his crews work extra hours if there is a lot of snow build-up.

According to The Weather Channel, snow is expected today with a high of 10 degrees. Snow is expected to stop by tomorrow, however cold weather is expected to remain with a high of minus 2 Friday. Temperatures are expected to range from 18 degrees to 11 degrees throughout the weekend.

Warmer weather is expected next week with temperatures reaching the mid-30s beginning Wednesday.