Blizzard watch for North Valley

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch tonight into Friday morning, particularly for the North Valley and Columbia Falls area.

Light snow is forecast, but high northeast winds, particularly after midnight, are expected to create blizzard conditions across the northern Flathead Valley.

Winds are predicted to be 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

“The primary areas of concern are the gaps through the Continental Divide, the northern Flathead valley, and the Missoula Valley where winds are expected to be at their strongest,” the Weather Service said. “Road crews may have a difficult time keeping up drifting snow and clogged roadways.”

The blizzard may be part of a one-two weather punch, with the second punch involving extreme cold with wind-chill values of minus 20 to minus 40.

Newborn livestock will be particularly vulnerable to these extreme conditions that are expected to persist through the weekend.

Arctic air poised in central Canada is predicted to plunge south into Montana beginning tonight.