Kalispell, Montana – Drivers across western Montana and parts of north central Idaho face slick highways and wind chills as cold as 30 below zero beginning overnight, with impacts spreading before the Wednesday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, multiple Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across the region through Wednesday evening and, in some areas, until 8 a.m. Thursday. Most valleys will see 1 to 3 inches of snow, while portions of the Lower Clark Fork Region could pick up up to 4 inches. Northeast winds between 15 and 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph in the Flathead Valley and up to 60 mph over exposed terrain, will create areas of blowing snow and dangerous cold.
Glacier National Park, Marias Pass, Bad Rock Canyon and Highway 83 from Bigfork to Swan Lake will see periodic snow and sharply reduced visibility. Along I-90 from Lookout Pass to Haugan and Highway 200 near Thompson Falls, snow showers Wednesday could cut visibility to under one mile. Lolo Pass, Lost Trail Pass, White Bird Grade and Highway 11 near Pierce are also under advisories.
Frostbite can develop on exposed skin within 30 minutes where wind chills plunge toward 30 below zero. Dress in layers, limit time outdoors and check Montana or Idaho 511 before traveling.
Snow showers taper in some valleys by late Wednesday, but cold and slick roads may linger into Thursday morning. Additional updates are possible if bands intensify.
