textproduct: Great Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered snow showers will continue across North-Central Montana through Saturday morning.

- Daily chances for light mountain snow through Monday.

- Cooler temperatures will last through the weekend before gradually warming up towards the middle of next week.

DISCUSSION

/Issued 311 PM MDT Fri Apr 24 2026/

- Meteorological Overview:

Snow showers continue to move across north-central Montana on the backside of a low pressure system centered over Saskatchewan. The main concerns through the evening will be periods of reduced visibility and slick roads. Snow will start to taper off during the overnight hours and is expected to end mid to late Saturday morning.

Cool and unsettled weather will continue through the weekend as the upper level low slowly tracks its way into northern Manitoba. The main impact will come in the form of light mountain snow across the region with a slight chance that some light snow could reach nearby lower elevations at times.

Towards the middle of next week, the trough departs further eastward and upper level ridging builds over the western CONUS in its place allowing for a return to more seasonal temperatures towards the end of the week.

- Forecast Confidence & Scenarios:

As of now the current winter weather advisories and warning remains on track. The main item to watch over the 6 to 12 hours will be how the snow bands set up which could cause some locally heavier amounts that might be problematic for those heading out tonight. Hi-res guidance points to more localized banding versus broad banding across a zone so no additional advisories will be issued at this time. But this situation will be monitored closely in case things change.

When looking at the mountain snow potential through the weekend, there is not enough confidence to warrant putting out additional advisories at this time as snowfall accumulations are generally expected to stay below 2 inches. Should snow totals start to increase in future model updates, this situation may need to be reevaluated but for now the impacts look to be very minor at best. -thor

AVIATION

25/00Z TAF Period

VFR conditions will prevail at the KBZN, KEKS, KWYS, and KHLN terminals during the duration of this TAF Period. At the KCTB, KGTF, KHVR, and KLWT terminals there will snow showers for at least first few hours of this TAF Period. Heavier snow showers will reduce visibility to IFR-levels or lower. At all but the KEKS, KWYS, and KBZN terminals there is at least a 10% chance for snow showers during the majority of this TAF Period. At the KBZN terminal there is a 15% chance for snow showers after 25/21Z through the end of the TAF Period. There will periods of mountain obscuration primarily across North-central Montana through the majority this TAF period. -IG

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

GTF 23 41 24 40 / 40 20 20 50 CTB 20 37 19 37 / 40 20 10 30 HLN 22 45 24 44 / 40 30 20 40 BZN 18 47 22 47 / 20 20 20 40 WYS 10 43 19 45 / 10 20 20 60 DLN 19 47 24 49 / 10 10 20 30 HVR 20 40 20 44 / 50 10 10 30 LWT 18 38 20 39 / 20 20 20 60

TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until noon MDT Saturday for Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera-Eastern Toole and Liberty-Hill County-Northern Blaine County-Northern High Plains.

Winter Storm Warning until noon MDT Saturday for Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine.