Another shot of snow on the way

The calendar says spring, but Mother Nature has different plans for Northwest Montana this week.

Another shot of winter-like weather is poised to hit the region Thursday through Friday. Heavy mountain snow is likely with some substantial valley accumulations possible as well.

According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, Northwest Montana will see gusty winds, snow accumulations and dropping temperatures from an arctic front crossing over the Continental Divide.

The initial burst of snow and wind will hit Glacier National Park and the Marias Pass area late Wednesday night through Thursday morning.

Valley impacts should begin Thursday afternoon and ramp up overnight. Wet roads Thursday could freeze up as the front moves into Flathead Valley. Temperatures are expected to drop from the mid-40s Thursday into the teens Friday.

“This arctic front is quite unusual for April as very cold air appears to push all the way into northern Idaho southward down along the Montana/Idaho border,” the Weather Service noted in its forecast discussion Wednesday. “This front will interact with a pulse of moisture moving in from the west and the combination of these two features could result in significant snow across the Northern Rockies.”

Valley locations could see 3-6 inches of new snow accumulation, while the mountains will receive 6-10 inches.

Sustained winds out of the north will gust up to 35 mph.

The region will get a brief break on Friday before deep sub-tropical moisture brings “very heavy rain” and mountain snow over the weekend. The possible presence of arctic air could temper concerns about rising streams and mud slides, the Weather Service reported.