forecast

The general big game rifle season opens in Montana this Saturday (October 24).

The upcoming winter will be influenced by neither an El Nino nor a La Nina atmospheric pattern, so pinning down a long term forecast is difficult.

outlooks from NOAA are showing below average temps and above average precip which is the PERFECT RECIPE FOR SNOW.

The National Weather Service says snow is in the forecast for this weekend in Missoula.

Missoulians have had a few days of blue skies, but according to Montana Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Meteorologist Kristen Martin, the smoke will return.

The National Weather Service is predicting that heavy thunderstorm activity is expected in the Missoula area Monday night into Tuesday.

So far, the Missoula area has experienced a dry fall, lots of snow over Christmas and into January, and with the advent of February, freezing valley rain and heavy mountain snow.

Old Man Winter is preparing a real entrance into west central Montana in the next 24 to 36 hours, with continued snow, developing strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures by the weekend.

The National Weather Service is predicting a strong weather system to move through Missoula and up the Bitterroot Valley starting tonight and into tomorrow.

The Bitterroot River gauges have continued to show levels well below flood stage, as cool weather continues in Western Montana.
Friday evening, the gauge at Darby was at 5.32 feet and the Bell Crossing gauge near Victor was at 9:03 feet, both were two feet below flood stage...