textproduct: Great Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Leftover snow showers end early this morning. - Next weather system arrives Friday, bringing widespread snow with heaviest in Southwestern Montana. - Active weather pattern continues next week.

DISCUSSION

/Issued 439 AM MST Wed Dec 3 2025/

In the wake of a departing upper level shortwave trough and as ridging builds just offshore the West Coast, northwesterly flow aloft will set up across the Treasure State today. This setup will bring a drying trend to the area today, with any leftover snow showers early this morning winding down before or shortly after sunrise this morning with skies gradually clearing through the remainder of the day.

Clouds will be quick to return on Thursday, however, as a weak surface low treks through Alberta and Saskatchewan and moisture aloft begins to make a return. While Thursday will be dry, precipitation will return to the area on Friday as a disturbance coming over the ridge makes its way into the Northwestern US. While most areas will see at least some snowfall on Friday, the heaviest snowfall will be found generally south of a Great Falls to Lewistown line to the Idaho border, where snow is likely to be a bit more persistent as high pressure sets up across the plains. Warmer air aloft will continue to produce snow across southwestern Montana into the day on Saturday, especially over the higher terrain where snowfall totals could approach a foot by Saturday evening.

As we look into next week, a fairly active weather pattern looks to continue as the upper level ridge to our west weakens a bit and a parade of weather systems push into the Northwestern United States. Ludwig

AVIATION

03/18Z TAF Period

Low clouds will be a concern at KBZN through 03/20Z before ceilings start to lift. Dense freezing fog and LIFR/VLIFR conditions will remain at KCTB through at least 03/19Z. The latest hi-res models show slow clearing with a return to VFR conditions by 03/21Z, however, there is a 20% chance that dense fog might linger a couple more hours should adequate mixing fail to occur.

Beyond that, VFR conditions are expected across the region with some breezy conditions across north-central Montana this afternoon through Thursday morning. Periods of LLWS are possible at KLWT after 04/06Z. -thor

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

GTF 33 24 37 22 / 0 0 30 30 CTB 29 21 34 19 / 0 0 10 10 HLN 33 21 37 24 / 0 10 40 40 BZN 32 14 34 20 / 0 0 40 50 WYS 29 9 24 14 / 0 10 80 80 DLN 33 18 36 21 / 0 0 10 30 HVR 22 10 34 17 / 0 0 20 20 LWT 32 18 36 21 / 10 0 20 40

TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.