Winter weather hits this week

Havre Daily News staff

The fall weather north-central Montana has been experiencing is expected to turn into wintry weather by the middle of this week.

National Weather Service said in a release that after relatively pleasant weather today and Tuesday, conditions will start to turn wintry Tuesday night.

“Those working outdoors or with outdoor interests should be prepared for raw and wet conditions for the second half of the work week,” the release said.

Weather Service said people can watch its website at http://www.weather.gov/tfx for updates on the watch.

The release said moderate to heavy snow accumulation could occur across most of north-central Montana from Tuesday evening through Saturday evening, with most falling from Thursday on.

Mountains across central Montana and along the Continental Divide could see total snowfall of one to two feet by Saturday evening. Travel over mountain passes could become difficult or even dangerous, especially in central Montana and along the Rocky Mountain Front, the release said.

The accumulation on roadways will vary heavily depending on the time of day, with more snow accumulating during the night, a Weather Service advisory on its website said.

The storms could produce reduced visibility due to heavier bursts of snow and blowing snow, and access to backcountry hunting and recreation locations could become difficult to impossible, the release said.

The Weather Service forecast this morning called for a chance of snow in Havre Tuesday night followed by a chance of rain and snow Wednesday with a chance of snow Wednesday night, a chance of snow Thursday and snow likely Thursday and Friday and a chance of snow continuing through Saturday night and a slight chance of snow showers Sunday.