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Very unstable air has moved into central Montana this afternoon, creating all sorts of weather hazards.

Within the last hour, we've detected cloud-to-ground lightning on the Hi-Line, specifically in Hill and Blaine Counties.

Even though it's Winter, lightning is dangerous at any time of the year.

This lightning indicates ice is bouncing around within the clouds, charging the atmosphere.

Where the lightning occurs, there will be a enhanced rain or snowfall rates.

Thundersnow is possible in the next few hours, but the airmass should become a bit more stable late this afternoon.

Farther south and west, heavy snow continues to fall over the mountains.

Colder air is also moving into the region, so the rain that is currently falling at the lower elevations will begin changing over to snow by this evening.

Many parts of the region - particularly in Great Falls - have also experienced a mixture of graupel and snow within the last hour. Graupel is precipitation that forms when supercooled droplets of water are collected and freeze on a falling snowflake, forming a 2-5 mm (0.079-0.197 in) ball of rime. Graupel is not the same as hail or ice pellets, although it is sometimes referred to as small hail.

Please be extra cautious when traveling tonight and slow down.

Stay with STORMTracker Weather for continuous coverage of this winter weather.

Helpful links:

STORMTracker Weather - forecast details, current conditions and much more

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AAA TravelWatch - live cameras, up-to-the-minute road conditions and road closures

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