Heavy rains ahead this weekend

Break out the rain gear and umbrellas, because the National Weather Service predicts that rain over Northwest Montana will be measured in inches over the next couple of days.

Moderate to heavy rain was expected to arrive Friday night, intensifying today and into Sunday.

“Some locations could see upwards of 2 to 3 inches of rain by Monday,” an advisory states. “While overall flooding is not expected, impacts could include ponding of water on roadways and in urban areas, rock and debris falling onto road surfaces and increased flow in small streams. Confidence in heavy rain developing is high.”

The advisory goes on to say that mountain snow will develop Sunday and Monday above 5,000 to 6,000 feet. Accumulations of a foot to a foot-and-a-half of snow are possible.

“There is a possibility that snow levels could lower further, impacting passes such as Lookout and Marias,” the advisory states.