Winter weather is expected this weekend

In a possible repeat of two years ago, winter weather is expected to hit north-central Montana this weekend with a winter storm watch in place and a more severe winter storm warning in effect to the west.

A storm watch is in place for Liberty, Hill and Blaine counties, with the storm warning in Teton and Glacier counties and to the south.

Both a storm watch and a high wind warning is in effect for Choutuea County and south of there.

The forecast calls for rain through Friday, then a chance of rain or snow Friday night.

 Snow is expected Saturday through Sunday, with a chance of snow Monday and Monday night.

The winter storm watch warns that the early, wet snow could take out power and damage trees and also stress livestock.

The forecast does not appear to call for a storm as severe as two years ago, when an early storm Oct. 4 dropped almost 3 feet of snow, causing widespread damage and knocking power out for more than a week for some people.

The forecast for this weekend predicts up to about 8 inches of accumulation in Havre are possible through the weekend.

Temperatures are expected to have highs in the 40s and 30s by Friday through the middle of next week with lows in the 20s through the weekend dropping into the teens early next week.