The National Weather Service in Missoula reports that an arctic front is expected to bring winter weather back to western Montana and north-central Idaho on Wednesday into Thursday.

For Northwest Montana, including Columbia Falls and the U.S. 2 corridor from Kalispell to Marias Pass, snow is expected to begin on Wednesday, with 2 to 4 inches of snow possible and some slush accumulating on roadways.

An arctic cold front will then move through the region Wednesday evening, causing temperatures to drop very quickly. Any slush remaining on the roadways will freeze, creating very icy and potentially dangerous travel.

Gusty northeast winds are expected to accompany the front, which could lead to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Wind chills could drop well below zero by Thursday morning, especially along the Continental Divide.

The rest of western Montana can expect to see light to moderate snow, causing slick roadways Wednesday into Thursday morning. The heaviest amounts are anticipated over the mountain passes, where 5 to 8 inches of snow are possible. Valleys should see generally light snow amounts, ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

A brief period of east winds is possible through the Highway 12 and Highway 200 corridors near the Continental Divide, as well as through the I-90 corridor from Butte into Missoula by Thursday morning. This could cause localized areas of blowing snow.

The weather forecasters call for prolonged widespread light to moderate snow is shaping up for much of western Montana and north central Idaho by this weekend. While snow amounts are not expected to be heavy, roads could become slick and snow-covered during this time frame, although exact amounts are not certain at this time.

For more information, visit online at www.weather.gov/missoula.