Snow to continue this week

The National Weather Service is forecasting another wave of winter weather for Northwest Montana this week.

Instead of bitter cold, however, this blast will involve snow.

Widespread snow is expected at lower elevations by this morning, with heavier snow at higher elevations by Wednesday and Thursday.

A winter weather advisory states that up to 6 inches could accumulate in Northwest Montana by this afternoon. That could mean low visibility and snow-packed roads, according to the Weather Service.

On top of the snowfall, a warming trend is expected to create conditions for freezing rain starting Wednesday.

The storms are part of a series of weather disturbances. The wettest and strongest system is expected to hit the area Wednesday and Thursday.

Today’s high temperature is expected to reach 31 degrees with a low tonight of 27. Wednesday’s high is predicted to reach 41 and Thursday’s high should hit 37.

A week ago, the Flathead Valley was enduring a cold spell with low temperatures dipping to 20 below zero (and lower).

The cold weather has increased ice cover on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, prompting Glacier officials to warn visitors about uneven ice conditions.

Over the weekend, two cross-country skiers fell through the ice into Lake McDonald but were able to rescue themselves, although much of their equipment was lost. 

In a news release, Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow said Lake McDonald is not completely frozen over and conditions vary across the 10-mile-long, 1 1/2-mile-wide lake.

“We encourage visitors to use extreme caution near the ice on Lake McDonald,” Mow said.

The lake surface ranges from open water to slush and areas of ice, often with all three conditions close to each other. Conditions on the lake are dynamic and change within a matter of hours. 

While official records do not document annual ice levels on Lake McDonald, 2007 was the most recent year with the majority of the lake frozen over.