KALISPELL, Mont. – A potent early-season winter storm is slamming northwest Montana with heavy snow, fierce easterly winds, and rapidly worsening travel conditions expected through Monday morning. Mountain communities could see over a foot of snow while gusts near 50 mph threaten power lines and trees across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until noon Monday for the Kootenai/Cabinet and West Glacier regions. Snow totals will vary sharply with elevation—less than an inch below 3,000 feet, 2 to 5 inches in valleys along Highway 2 near Marion, and 12 to 18 inches possible across the Cabinet and Purcell Mountains. Higher elevations near Glacier National Park, Marias Pass, and Logan Pass could see up to 20 inches.
Easterly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45–60 mph will create blowing snow, whiteouts, and scattered power outages. The period of greatest impact is expected Sunday evening through midnight, when falling temperatures will refreeze earlier rain, forming black ice on major routes including Highways 2, 37, 56, and 93.
The Montana Department of Transportation advises against non-essential travel tonight. Those who must be on the roads should carry extra food, water, and a flashlight, and avoid touching downed power lines. Outdoor enthusiasts are urged to postpone backcountry trips as deep snow and hypothermia risks increase.
