WINTER STORM WARNING in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday through Friday afternoon for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains Heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches below 7,000 feet, with 6 to 14 inches above 7,000 feet. Wind gusts up to 35 km/h.

WINTER STORM WARNING in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday through 3 p.m. Friday for the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains, Centennial Mountains and Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. Heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 15 inches. Wind gusts up to 30 km/hour.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday through Friday afternoon for the Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, including the following locations: Trident, Deep Creek Pass, Bozeman Pass, Maudlow and Battle Ridge Pass. Snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 5 inches. Wind gusts up to 40 km/hour.

A cold front will bring gusty winds and widespread rain showers to western Montana starting today. The front will move into northwestern Montana this morning, linger over west-central Montana this afternoon and move into southwestern Montana this evening. Showers are expected along and behind the front. The strong westerly wind can cause gusts of up to 30 km/h. Daytime highs will be in the 50s and 60s for northwest and west-central Montana. Daytime highs will be in the 70s to near 80 for southwestern Montana. Warm, dry and windy conditions in southwestern Montana will produce near-critical fire conditions Wednesday.

Snow levels will drop to around 4,000 feet on Thursday. There may be a light accumulation of snow on mountain passes early Thursday and Friday. The showers will decrease on Friday. Daytime highs will be lower than normal in the 40s and 50s. Overnight lows will be in the 20s.