Cooke City, Mont. – Travel over Beartooth Pass and into the high country could become treacherous within hours as a powerful winter storm moves into southern Montana late Monday night, stacking up to 20 inches of snow and whipping winds to 60 mph through Wednesday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, a Winter Storm Warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Monday and continues until 5 p.m. Wednesday for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, including Cooke City. Forecasters expect 10 to 20 inches of accumulation, with the heaviest totals on southwest- and west-facing slopes. Strong ridge-top winds will create significant blowing and drifting snow, sharply reducing visibility above treeline.
Recreation areas and backcountry routes will take the brunt of the storm. Snow-covered trails and mountain roads near Cooke City and along U.S. 212 over Beartooth Pass may become difficult or impassable, especially during peak snowfall Tuesday. Gusts up to 60 mph could load slopes unevenly, increasing avalanche danger across exposed terrain.
Anyone heading into the mountains should carry winter survival gear, check avalanche forecasts, and be prepared for whiteout conditions. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous through late Wednesday afternoon, and additional avalanche advisories are likely as snow and wind continue to build unstable layers.
