Billings, Montana – Winter is making an unusual return to Montana’s high country as late-June snowfall, blowing snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph create hazardous travel conditions across the Beartooth Mountains while much of south-central Montana experiences a cool, rainy start to the week.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, snow levels will fall to around 7,500 feet today, with the greatest impacts expected across the mountains of western and south-central Montana. The Beartooth Highway could receive up to 4 inches of snow across its highest elevations, where strong winds will produce areas of blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility. The Montana Department of Transportation closed Beartooth Pass as of Sunday evening because of deteriorating conditions.
Communities across lower elevations will see a much different, but equally unsettled, day. Rain chances range from 60 percent in Billings and 62 percent in Columbus to 93 percent in Lewistown, 96 percent in Livingston, 97 percent near Old Faithful and Neihart, and 88 percent around Harlowton. Afternoon temperatures will remain well below late-June averages, with highs only reaching 67 degrees in Billings, 60 degrees in Red Lodge, 55 degrees in Livingston, 57 degrees in Harlowton, and 45 degrees around Old Faithful and the highest mountain communities.
Anyone traveling into Yellowstone National Park, Cooke City, Red Lodge or other mountain recreation areas should prepare for rapidly changing weather, winter driving conditions and significantly colder temperatures at higher elevations. Motorists should check road conditions before departing, pack extra clothing and be prepared for additional travel restrictions if snowfall becomes heavier than forecast.
The unsettled pattern will continue through the day, with periods of rain across much of the region and accumulating snow confined to the highest elevations. Additional travel advisories may be issued if mountain conditions worsen, and travelers should monitor updates from the National Weather Service and the Montana Department of Transportation before heading into the high country.
