The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a freeze warning for parts of northern and western Montana with temperatures as low as 28 degrees expected on Thursday morning, creating conditions that "could kill crops" and "possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing" according to the federal agency.
The warning covers the Butte/Blackfoot region and the Potomac/Seeley Lake region and is in effect between midnight and 9 a.m. MDT.
The NWS freeze alert comes as a wave of cold weather sweeps across the northwestern United States, with the freeze warnings covering a swarth of Oregon on Wednesday, when temperatures were expected to fall to 30 degrees.
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According to the NWS "sub-freezing temperatures as low at 28" should be expected in the Blackfoot region on Thursday morning, with Ovando, Helmville, Avon, Elliston, Philipsburg and Georgetown Lake being the "areas of greatest concern."
The agency warns that "frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing" and urges those living in effected areas to "take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold."
Identical warnings and advice apply to the Potomac/Seeley Lake region in western Montana.
Separately the NWS issued a frost advisory alert for Eastern Lemhi County and Western Lemhi County in Idaho, along with the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains, Lower Clark Fork region, and Missoula/Bitterroot valleys in Montana.
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For these areas until 9 a.m. MDT the NWS said "temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation."
This "could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation" with the NWS stating that "sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered." Consequently the agency urged locals to "take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold."
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NWS winter weather advisory notices were also issued for areas above 5,000 feet in the Potomac/Seeley Lake region and Glacier National Park of Montana until 8 a.m. MDT on Thursday.
The NWS noted: "10 to 12 inches of snow have been reported at Glacier National Park, with additional snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches expected above 5000 feet through Thursday morning."
As a result "travel could be affected" and the NWS urged anyone travelling in the region to "slow down and use caution" and check the latest road conditions for their state by calling 511 if necessary.
They added: "Outdoor recreationalists should be prepared for winter conditions. Snowfall could impact roads and cold temperatures may result in hypothermia."
On Tuesday Kirksville, Missouri, received more than three inches of rain in just a few hours. Speaking to Newsweek NWS meteorologist said this had broken a 20-year daily rainfall record by almost two inches thanks to a localized thunderstorm.
Tuesday also saw daily heat records broken in a number of cities in Illinois and Indiana, including South Bent which recorded 97 degrees and Wayne which peaked at 96 degrees according to the NWS.
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James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
