Billings, MT – Montana will be among the first states to feel the full impact of an Arctic blast expected to grip much of the nation starting Saturday, November 30, plunging temperatures and producing dangerous wind chills through the first week of December.
According to the National Weather Service, a deep Arctic air mass will descend south from Canada, pushing temperatures well below zero across Montana. The Climate Prediction Center forecasts a 75–90% chance of below-normal temperatures statewide, with overnight lows reaching -10°F to -20°F and wind chills near -40°F in northern valleys and open plains.
Drivers along I-90 and I-15 should prepare for treacherous travel conditions, including drifting snow, black ice, and reduced visibility. The Montana Department of Transportation warns that frostbite could occur in less than 10 minutes of exposure, and motorists should avoid unnecessary travel during peak cold periods.
This Arctic outbreak will anchor itself across the northern Rockies and Plains before spreading east through the Great Lakes and Midwest. The extreme cold pattern may persist into mid-December, signaling a sharp start to winter.
Residents are urged to check heating systems, keep emergency kits in vehicles, and bring pets indoors as life-threatening cold settles across the region.
