Billings, MT – Mountain communities across Montana are bracing for a prolonged winter storm expected to bring significant snowfall and hazardous travel conditions through midweek.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Billings and Great Falls, a Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Wednesday for the Crazy Mountains, Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, and the Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains. Forecasts indicate total snow accumulations between 8 to 16 inches in the higher elevations, with gusty winds reaching 35 mph in some areas.
Travel will likely be difficult, especially across mountain passes like Elk Park Pass and Homestake Pass, where visibility may be reduced and roads quickly become snow-covered. Avalanche danger may also rise in the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges during peak snowfall Tuesday.
Communities including Cooke City, Boulder, Montana City, and Big Sky are expected to be among the most impacted. Residents and travelers are urged to carry emergency supplies such as food, water, and flashlights in case of delays or road closures.
For updated road conditions, call 511 or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website. Outdoor recreationists should notify others of their plans and monitor avalanche forecasts closely.
