A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of central and southwest Montana. The National Weather Service is predicting unseasonably cold temperatures over the next couple days.
Forecasters are predicting up to 12 inches of snow to fall in lower elevations, and up to 20 inches in the mountains starting Tuesday through early Wednesday.
Unseasonably cold, below-freezing temperatures and gusty winds are expected through Thursday.
The National Weather Service in Great Falls is warning that blizzard-like conditions could make driving hazardous and cause isolated power outages. The service also warns that conditions could be dangerous for young livestock.
The Mannix Family Ranch in Helmville scheduled their calving season later in April to avoid spring storms like this one.
Logan Mannix is one of the ranch managers. He says, “Any calves born in bad storms, you can lose them from freezing to death. If they’re born exposed to the wind, they usually won’t make it without help.”
Mannix says one silver lining is the predicted moisture that will help the ranch, as much of Montana continues experiencing drought.
“Snowpack would be great. If we do get some moisture we certainly could use that,”he says.
More information and up-to-date forecasts can be found at weather.gov.