Winter weather advisory in effect

A winter weather advisory is in effect for a region from the Rocky Mountain Front as far east as Liberty County, with a special warning for parts of Hill and Chouteau counties.

The weather is predicted to stay chilly but no more local precipitation is expected till Friday night, with a chance of snow Saturday night through Sunday and snow likely Sunday night and Monday.

The advisory that includes Liberty County, in effect through 6 tonight, says 1 inch to 4 inches of snow could fall with winds gusting as high as 30 mph to 40 mph.

People are warned to plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, with the release adding that gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

The advisory says people should slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5-1-1 or by visiting the Montana Department of Transportation Road Report website at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/detailed.aspx .

In a special weather statement that includes Chouteau and Hill counties, National Weather Service predicts a period of gusty westerly winds, possibly in excess of 40 mph, and bands of snow showers. Snowfall amounts will generally range from trace amounts to about 1 inch, but the heavier bursts of snow could produce localized amounts up to 2 inches or more over a very short period of time. In addition to that, brief visibility reductions below one-half mile will be possible, along with slushy roadway accumulations.

Anyone traveling on area roadways this morning should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and highly variable road conditions across short distances, especially over higher terrain and mountain passes, the statement says.

In this region, highs today were predicted in the 30s to low 40s with the lows tonight in the teens to low 20s.

Highs are expected to be in the 30s Thursday with a lows again in the teens to low 20s, but highs are predicted to creep up to the 40s and 50s Friday and Saturday before turning cold at the end of the weekend.

Lows are expected in the teens to low 20s Saturday night with highs Sunday in the low 30s. Then the lows are expected to be in the single digits to teens Sunday night with highs in the teens to 20s Monday and lows Monday from near zero to low teens.

A chance of rain is predicted after midnight Friday with a chance of rain Saturday and a chance of snow Saturday night and Sunday.

Snow is predicted as likely Sunday night and Monday, with a chance of snow through Tuesday.