Billings, Montana – Snow and gusty winds are continuing to hammer high elevations across southern Montana early Friday, creating low visibility and hazardous conditions in the Crazy and Absaroka-Beartooth mountain ranges through the late morning hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 11 a.m. MST Friday for the Crazy Mountains and the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, including the Cooke City area.
Forecasters say additional snowfall up to 5 inches is possible in the Absaroka-Beartooth range, especially on north-facing slopes, while the Crazy Mountains could see another 2 inches before the storm tapers off. Wind gusts reaching 35 mph are producing areas of blowing snow, at times cutting visibility significantly across exposed ridges and higher terrain.
Backcountry travel and recreation are expected to be the hardest hit. Snow-covered trails and rapidly shifting visibility could make navigation difficult for snowmobilers, skiers, and climbers in the region.
Cooke City and surrounding mountain access routes may also experience brief travel slowdowns where heavier bursts of snow develop during the morning hours.
Outdoor recreationists are urged to prepare for sudden whiteout conditions, carry navigation equipment, and monitor changing weather before heading into the high country.
Snowfall should gradually ease late Friday morning, though lingering snow showers and gusty winds could continue in higher elevations into the afternoon. Additional mountain advisories remain possible if conditions persist.
