West Glacier, MT – A winter weather advisory has been issued for parts of northwest Montana, with snow and strong winds expected to impact higher elevations in and around Glacier National Park this week.
According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, the advisory will take effect from midnight Wednesday night through 3 p.m. Thursday, May 14, for areas above 5,000 feet in the West Glacier region.
Forecasters say wet snow is expected, with total accumulations ranging from 2 to 5 inches at higher elevations. In addition to snowfall, winds could gust as high as 50 mph, creating potentially hazardous conditions, especially in exposed mountainous terrain.
The advisory specifically targets Glacier National Park, located in Flathead County near the Kalispell metro area. Officials warn that conditions in the backcountry could become dangerous, with reduced visibility, slick trails, and falling tree branches due to strong wind gusts.
According to the National Weather Service, anyone planning outdoor recreation should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, including cold temperatures that could increase the risk of hypothermia.
Travelers and hikers are urged to monitor weather updates closely and use caution, particularly at higher elevations where winter-like conditions are expected to persist through Thursday afternoon.
