National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Tracking a Winter Storm; Unusual Early-Season Heat Wave in the Southwest

A major winter storm will organize across the Northern Plains today and then rapidly strengthen as it moves into the Great Lakes on Sunday. Heavy snow and blowing snow are likely to persist over the Great Lakes into Monday night. Dry and gusty winds will produce a critical fire risk across the central/southern Plains. An early heatwave will begin to intensify over the western U.S. into next week. Read More >

Current conditions at

Essex US-2 MP 179.9 (MTESX)

Lat: 48.28176°NLon: 113.60657°WElev: 3848.0ft.

unknown precip

23°F

-5°C

Humidity 66%
Wind Speed ESE 8 MPH
Barometer NA
Dewpoint 13°F (-11°C)
Visibility NA
Wind Chill14°F (-10°C)
Last update 14 Mar 11:46 AM MDT
Extended Forecast for

8 Miles NE Bigfork MT

  • This Afternoon

    This Afternoon: Snow, mainly before 3pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as zero. North northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

    High: 23 °F⇓

    Heavy Snow

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -12. North northeast wind 9 to 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 2 °F

    Snow then
    Chance Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -13. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

    High: 21 °F

    Partly Sunny

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. South southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 18 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Snow Likely

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow. High near 33. South southwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

    High: 33 °F

    Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 31 °F

    Snow Likely
    then Chance
    Snow

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    High: 37 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Chance
    Rain/Snow

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 7000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

    Low: 33 °F

    Rain/Snow
    Likely

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after noon. Snow level 7300 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 38.

    High: 38 °F

    Rain/Snow
    Likely then
    Rain Likely

Detailed Forecast

This Afternoon
Snow, mainly before 3pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 15 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as zero. North northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow, mainly before midnight. Low around 2. Wind chill values as low as -12. North northeast wind 9 to 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -13. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Sunday Night
Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. South southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Monday
Snow. High near 33. South southwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Monday Night
Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tuesday
A slight chance of snow before noon, then a chance of rain and snow between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Snow level 7000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Wednesday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after noon. Snow level 7300 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 38.
Wednesday Night
Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Thursday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.
Thursday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Friday
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.
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Forecast Area
Tiles ©ESRI

ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
8 Miles NE Bigfork MT
 48.13°N 113.91°W (Elev. 6417 ft)
Last Update:
2:01 am MDT Mar 14, 2026
Forecast Valid:
12pm MDT Mar 14, 2026-6pm MDT Mar 20, 2026
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

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