This morning snowfall has already started near Island Park, West Yellowstone and Big Sky with a trace to 1” accumulating so far. Strong winds from the south continue blowing 20-40 mph gusting 50-60 mph, except in the Bridgers and near Cooke City where winds are a bit lighter. Temperatures are in the mid 20s F in most areas while in the Bridgers temperatures are in the low 30s F.
Today a deep trough will move across California and Nevada with our forecast area on the front edge of this system. The Centennial Range near Island Park will take the brunt of the storm with heavy snowfall and strong south winds continuing to gust 50-60 mph. By afternoon, winds will decrease significantly and precipitation should finally reach the Bozeman area. Temperatures will remain steady this morning before dropping late today when a cold front arrives.
Snow totals by tomorrow morning should be: 12-18” near Island Park, 6-12” near West Yellowstone, 6-8” near Big Sky, 4-6” near Bozeman and Cooke City. Lighter snowfall will continue tomorrow with a break this weekend before the next system brings snow and strong winds Sunday-Tuesday followed by even more snow later in the week.