Great Falls, Montana – Snow is expected to impact multiple mountain regions across central and southwest Montana beginning Sunday evening, with a Winter Weather Advisory in effect through Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Great Falls.
The National Weather Service said the advisory will be in effect from 5 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. MST Monday for the Rocky Mountain Front, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, northwest Beaverhead County, and the Gallatin, Madison, and Centennial Mountains.
Forecast snowfall totals generally range from 2 to 6 inches, with higher elevations receiving greater amounts. Along the Continental Divide near the Rocky Mountain Front, snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected, with isolated ridge-top totals near 12 inches. Similar isolated higher totals are possible in northwest Beaverhead County and other exposed ridgelines.
Affected locations include Rogers Pass, Marias Pass, Logan Pass, East Glacier Park, Saint Mary, Kings Hill Pass, Neihart, Monarch, Wisdom, Big Hole Pass, Chief Joseph Pass, West Yellowstone, Raynolds Pass, Big Sky, and Targhee Pass.
According to the weather service, roads — especially bridges, overpasses, and mountain passes — are likely to become slick and hazardous during the advisory period. Travel impacts are most likely overnight Sunday into the Monday morning commute.
Motorists traveling along U.S. Highway 2 near Marias Pass, U.S. Highway 89 along the Rocky Mountain Front, Montana Highway 43 near Chief Joseph Pass, and U.S. Highway 20 near West Yellowstone should be prepared for winter driving conditions.
While snowfall amounts are moderate, colder pavement temperatures will allow snow to accumulate quickly. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Monday morning as snowfall tapers.
The National Weather Service advises drivers to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and check current road conditions before traveling through mountain areas. Ranchers and livestock owners are also encouraged to monitor cold stress conditions for young animals.
