Cold front brings rain and mountain snow, hard frost at the end of the week

WINTER STORM WARNING in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday through noon Friday for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches below 7,000 feet, with 6 to 14 inches above 7,000 feet. Wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour.

WINTER STORM WARNING valid from 3 a.m. Thursday to 3 p.m. Friday for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains, Centennial Mountains and Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 15 inches. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY Effective from 3 a.m. Thursday through noon Friday for the Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, including the following locations: Trident, Deep Creek Pass, Bozeman Pass, Maudlow and Battle Ridge Pass. Snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 5 inches. Wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

A cold front will bring breezy winds and widespread showers across western Montana starting today. The front will move into northwest Montana this morning, stall over west-central Montana this afternoon, and move into southwest Montana this evening. Showers are expected along and behind the front. Windy westerly winds may gust up to 30 miles per hour. Daytime highs will be in the 50s and 60s across northwest and west central Montana. Daytime highs will be in the 70s to near 80s across southwest Montana. Warm, dry and windy conditions across southwest Montana will create near-critical fire weather conditions on Wednesday.

On Thursday the snow level will drop to around 4,000 feet. The mountain passes could see some light snow accumulation Thursday and early Friday. Showers will ease early Friday. Daily highs will be below normal in the 40s and 50s. Overnight lows will be in the 20s.