Glasgow, MT – Drivers across northeast Montana could lose traction within hours as rain flips to snow by midafternoon Thursday, creating slick highways and freezing overpasses before sunset.
According to the National Weather Service in Glasgow, rain and mixed precipitation will begin moving west to east early Thursday afternoon, transitioning to all snow by evening. Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across much of the region through Friday, with a Winter Storm Warning issued for Wibaux County, where heavier accumulation is expected into late Friday night.
Conditions will deteriorate first along U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 24, where rain will quickly mix with sleet before turning to snow between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Temperatures will drop fast enough to freeze untreated roads, especially bridges and rural routes near Glasgow, Jordan, and Malta. Visibility could fall below one mile during heavier bursts of snow Thursday night.
Communities including Sidney, Plentywood, and Glendive will see prolonged snowfall through Friday morning, impacting the commute and slowing agricultural and freight traffic. Emergency managers urge residents to delay non-essential travel, charge devices, and prepare for rapidly changing road conditions.
Snow will taper off by early Friday evening for most areas, though Wibaux County may see lingering snowfall into late night hours. Additional advisories could be issued if snowfall rates increase or ice accumulations worsen.
