Expected

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 3 inches at lower elevations and 4 to 10 inches in the mountains. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Expect difficult driving conditions due to slush or snow covered roadways. Falling and or blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times. Those with outdoor plans should be prepared for dangerous outdoor conditions.

* WHAT...Snow. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches at lower elevations and 4 to 10 inches in the Sweetgrass Hills. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Northern High Plains, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow will reduce visibility at times.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures 20 to 25 except 25 to 28 Pocatello to Burley and Oakley. * WHERE...Eastern Magic Valley, Shoshone/Lava Beds, Arco/Mud Lake Desert, Lower Snake River Plain, and Upper Snake River Plain. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 10 AM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Beartooth Foothills and Red Lodge Foothills. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. This may impact the Friday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will decrease this afternoon and evening. Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations of a few inches. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will decrease throughout the day today. Monitor the latest forecast for updates.

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...In Montana, Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains. In Wyoming, Northeast Bighorn Mountains. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult on US-14. Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will decrease this afternoon and evening. Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Walton and Bay County Beaches. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 expected. * WHERE...Sanpete Valley and Eastern Box Elder County. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 9 AM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Drain in-ground sprinkler systems and cover above ground pipes.

At 955 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Pine Bluff Arsenal, or 9 miles north of Pine Bluff, moving southeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Pine Bluff... White Hall... Altheimer... Warbritton... Cottondale... Linwood...

Dry conditions will lead to near critical fire weather conditions today. Minimum relative humidity values of 18 to 30 percent are expected along with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph. These conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.