Missoula, MT – A powerful multi-day winter storm is set to hammer the northern Rockies beginning Wednesday evening, bringing feet of snow and dangerous travel conditions across western Montana and north-central Idaho through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Missoula, Winter Storm Warnings will take effect Wednesday evening across mountain regions including the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, Glacier National Park, the Lower Clark Fork region and the Clearwater Mountains in Idaho.
Snowfall totals in the mountains could become extreme. Higher elevations in the Clearwater Mountains near Dixie and Elk River may receive 30 to 60 inches of snow, while ranges across western Montana—including Marias Pass and Lolo Pass—could see 20 to 40 inches. Lower elevations will generally see lighter totals between 1 and 7 inches.
Strong winds will compound the storm’s impacts. Gusts could reach 45 to 60 mph in exposed areas, producing blowing snow and near-whiteout conditions over mountain passes.
Major travel corridors including I-90 near Lookout Pass, Highway 200, Highway 11 and Highway 93 near Lost Trail Pass could become extremely hazardous or impassable as the storm intensifies.
The most severe impacts are expected from Wednesday night through Friday, with dangerous mountain travel likely continuing until the storm gradually weakens by Saturday afternoon. Officials advise avoiding mountain travel whenever possible as this prolonged storm unfolds.
