Weather
Cooke City, MT Weather Oct. 10-11: 12+ Inches Possible
GREAT FALLS, MT – Heavy snow, strong winds and difficult mountain travel are possible across portions of Montana this weekend, with some mountain areas potentially receiving more than a foot of snow S
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-09T11:43:21.190Z
GREAT FALLS, MT – Heavy snow, strong winds and difficult mountain travel are possible across portions of Montana this weekend, with some mountain areas potentially receiving more than a foot of snow Saturday, Oct. 10, through Sunday night.
The National Weather Service offices in Great Falls, Billings and Missoula have issued or continued Winter Storm Watches for several mountain ranges, valleys and travel corridors. The watches indicate that hazardous winter conditions are possible, but snowfall amounts and impacts remain uncertain.
In the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains and Crazy Mountains, forecasters say snow accumulations greater than 12 inches are possible. Winds could gust to 35 mph, creating blowing snow. Travel over Beartooth Pass and around Cooke City could become very difficult or impossible.
Farther north, the Weather Service in Great Falls forecasts the potential for up to 9 inches of wet snow below 6,000 feet along the southern Rocky Mountain Front and nearby areas, with 8 to 12 inches possible above that elevation. Wind gusts could reach 45 mph.
The Helena Valley, Little Belt Mountains and surrounding higher terrain could receive up to 6 inches below 5,000 feet and 6 to 12 inches above that elevation.
A separate watch covers Great Falls and portions of Cascade, Judith Basin and Meagher counties, where up to 7 inches of heavy wet snow is possible.
In the Big Belt Mountains and higher elevations of Gallatin and Madison counties, snowfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are possible in the specified mountain areas.
The Missoula office also issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Butte and Blackfoot region, including Homestake Pass, with 3 to 7 inches possible and gusts reaching 45 mph.
Heavy, wet snow and strong winds could bring down tree limbs and power lines, while mountain passes and backcountry areas could become hazardous.
Most watches begin Saturday afternoon or evening and continue into Sunday, with some lasting through late Sunday night. Travelers should monitor updated National Weather Service forecasts as the potential storm approaches.