Glasgow, Montana – Freezing rain is expected to develop across portions of northeast Montana late tonight and continue into Christmas Day, creating icy travel conditions and prompting a Winter Weather Advisory, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Glasgow said freezing rain is most likely between 11 p.m. tonight and 11 a.m. Christmas Day as warmer air aloft moves into the region from the southwest while surface temperatures remain below freezing. Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch are possible.
The advisory covers areas including Glasgow, Malta, Opheim, Scobey, Plentywood, and surrounding communities. Even light ice accumulation can make roads, bridges, and overpasses extremely slick, particularly during the overnight hours and early Christmas morning.
According to the National Weather Service, drivers should be prepared for icy road conditions, especially on untreated surfaces. Officials recommend increasing the distance between vehicles, reducing speed, and allowing extra time to reach destinations. Pedestrians should also use caution on sidewalks and parking lots where ice may be difficult to see.
While ice amounts are expected to remain limited, forecasters warn that localized slick spots could still lead to hazardous travel. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Christmas morning as temperatures rise and precipitation tapers off.
Residents are urged to monitor road conditions and check for updated forecasts before heading out for holiday travel. Travelers planning early Christmas Day trips should be prepared for changing conditions.
The National Weather Service emphasized that even minor ice accumulation can have outsized impacts and encouraged the public to take precautions seriously.
