Weather
This forecast was created at 6 a.m. PST on Monday, February 24
A potent early-week storm will bring notable mountain snowfall and periods of gusty winds across the Northern Rockies. Cooler air will spill in by Tuesday night, and a warmer, drier regime will take over from midweek onward. Periods of high snow levels will initially favor only upper elevations, but a midweek cooldown will lower snow lines. A second, weaker system may brush the region later in the week, followed by generally mild conditions heading into the weekend.
A pair of disturbances will dominate Monday night through Tuesday night. Mild southwest flow will keep snow levels around 6,000–7,000 feet through Monday, so most lower valleys will see rain or a mix of light precipitation. Mountain areas will pick up more appreciable accumulations, especially Monday night into early Tuesday when snowfall rates peak. Winds will ramp up significantly in favored passes and along ridgelines—gusts will enhance blowing snow at higher elevations and may briefly impact lift operations.
A cold front pushes across the region by Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. By early Wednesday, this boundary will drop snow levels to around 3,000–4,500 feet. Scattered snow showers could linger in the highest terrain, with moderate accumulations in the central Idaho and northwest Montana mountains. Winds should ease modestly after frontal passage, but breeziness persists in exposed locations. Most valleys will dry out by Wednesday morning, and any lingering precipitation becomes increasingly confined to the highest peaks.
From midweek into the weekend, a high-pressure ridge builds over the West, bringing warmer-than-normal temperatures and relatively quiet weather. Any late-week disturbances will be minor, likely limited to a few light snow showers in far northern areas. Snow conditions should remain good at higher elevations while lower elevations transition to spring-like conditions. Looking ahead to Sunday, another system may begin to approach, though confidence in timing and intensity remains moderate at best.
Totals (through Wednesday)
- Schweitzer, ID – 7″–11” Mon night (02/24)–Tue night (02/25)
- Brundage, ID – 4″–7” Mon night (02/24)–Wed (02/26)
- Big Sky, MT – 2″–5” Mon night (02/24)–Wed (02/26)
- Grand Targhee, WY – 1″–3” Tue (02/25)–Wed (02/26)
- Whitefish Mountain, MT – 1″–3” Mon night (02/24)–Tue night (02/25)
- Jackson Hole, WY – 1″–2” Tue (02/25)–Wed (02/26)
