Following a dry January that resulted in a rare slew of bluebird days in the Flathead Valley, a storm is expected to bring “complicated” conditions to the region in the form of fluctuating temperatures combined with potential freezing rain and snow,

Parts of northern Montana are forecasted to experience high winds that are expected to make travel difficult, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS warned in statements issued on Wednesday that high winds can not only worsen road conditions but also move debris, damage property and cause power outages.

This combination will bring several rounds of snow, much colder temperatures, some localized areas of blowing snow and difficult to hazardous travel conditions.

A handful of northwestern states were under winter storm watch from the NWS on Thursday, with the service warning of potential impacts to travel.

On Friday at 8:24 a.m. an updated winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until noon. The advisory is for Helena Valley, Meagher County Valleys,

That's because National Weather Service forecasters say confidence is high for a change to snow, along with freezing rain pushing into West Central Montana to end the week. That means a moderate risk for high impacts extending through the weekend and into early next week.

NBC Montana checked in with state officials to learn about the current ice conditions across Montana.A meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Great

The advisories impact large areas of Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington, lasting through the end of January.

Montana and nearby states are on track to have one of the most comprehensive networks of drought monitors in the world.

On Friday at 11:26 a.m. an updated winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 3 p.m. The advisory is for Helena Valley, Meagher County

The National Weather Service (NWS) had winter weather warnings in place for 11 states early on Thursday, with up to 1 foot of snow forecast for some parts of the country. Snow can disrupt travel and lead to hazardous driving conditions.

A blast of Arctic air is set to push into the Pacific Northwest this weekend, bringing plunging temperatures, mountain snow, and the potential for lowland snowfall in some areas, meteorologists say. According to Michael Snyder of the Pacific Northwest Weather Watch,