Another round of winter; C.F. schools close

Bundle up and be careful on the roads because the Flathead Valley is in for a siege of challenging weather.

Blustery winds and snow from an arctic weather front descending from Canada are expected to create blizzard weather today, according to a warning issued by the National Weather Service.

As the storm rolled in, Columbia Falls schools closed Friday. All other schools in Flathead County remained open.

“Considerable blowing and drifting of snow is expected with blizzard conditions developing across the northern Flathead Valley and Columbia Falls area,” the Weather Service said.

Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, plus two to four inches of new snow, may create whiteout conditions.

The blizzard warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Saturday.

Bone-chilling cold also is in the Flathead forecast.

Today’s high is predicted to reach 13, then plummet to minus 7 tonight. Saturday’s high is forecast to reach 4 before dipping to a low of 11 below zero.

Sunday’s high and low are expected to be 9 and minus 9, respectively.

This latest subzero stretch is expected to moderate slightly on Monday, when the low will be 9 degrees above zero.

The dangerous weather won’t be limited to Northwest Montana.

Missoula, hard hit by heavy snow earlier this week, is expected to receive another 4 to 8 inches from today’s storm, along with the same blizzard-inducing winds that are predicted to whip the Flathead.