The National Weather Service is predicting that West Central Montana could experience a 'significant snow event' from Thursday night into Friday.

Meteorologist and chief forecaster Bob Nestor said on Tuesday afternoon that computer models are showing that parts of Eastern Idaho and Western Montana could receive several inches of snow.

"There's a pretty interesting weather pattern setting up," Nestor said. "We already have cold air in place across western Montana, and there's a relatively warmer air mass approaching the area which is a pretty classic pattern set up for some good snows as the low pressure system moves southward."

Nestor said there will be a wide swath that will experience several inches of fresh snow.

"Confidence is increasing that we will have snow, but we're not quite sure where the heaviest amounts will fall," he said. "Right now, we're looking at the possibility of two to six inches of snow from the Camas prairie in Idaho, up through Lolo Pass, Lost Trail Pass, and into the Bitterroot Valley. Missoula lies on the northern edge of this system, so Missoula itself might receive an inch or two of snow from this system."

Nestor said following the snow event, the area will experience yet another few days of frigid weather.

"After this system moves east, we're expecting another arctic intrusion moving across the Continental Divide, bringing cold temperatures in the single digits and strong winds, bringing bitter cold wind chill temperatures by Friday night."

Nestor said the weather will moderate somewhat by next week, with near normal temperatures.

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