Billings, MT – Mountain travel across southern Montana and northern Wyoming will rapidly deteriorate starting Thursday afternoon, with heavy snow and strong winds creating dangerous conditions through Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, a Winter Storm Warning begins at noon Thursday for the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, including Cooke City, where 10 to 18 inches of snow is expected through Friday evening. Winds could gust up to 45 mph, producing blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility, especially Thursday night into Friday morning when snowfall peaks.
In the Bighorn and Pryor Mountains, including areas near Burgess Junction and Story, snowfall totals could reach 10 to 20 inches between Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. Wind gusts up to 50 mph may create near-whiteout conditions along Highway 14, where travel could become nearly impossible.
Lower elevations, including Sheridan, Ashland, and areas along Interstate 90 from Aberdeen Hill to Piney Creek, will see rain transition to snow after 9 p.m. Thursday. Snow totals of 2 to 6 inches combined with gusty winds will create slick roads and blowing snow, impacting overnight and Friday travel.
Officials urge travelers and outdoor recreationists to prepare for rapidly changing conditions and avoid high-country routes during peak snowfall. Warnings remain in effect through Friday evening, with the most severe impacts expected overnight into midday Friday.
