WEATHER ALERT DAY has been declared for Friday in northwest Montana as heavy accumulating snow, freezing rain, gusty winds and major travel impacts are expected.
A winter storm will bring heavy snow and gusty easterly winds, particularly in the Flathead Valley and Glacier region today. Snowfall rates could become moderate to heavy during the day, with 4 to 8 inches snow possible for localized areas around the Flathead Valley. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will create blowing snow, reducing visibility at times. Light to moderate snow is likely with accumulations of up to 3 inches in valleys along and south of I-90. This afternoon, there will be a brief period of a mix of rain, snow and freezing rain in lower valleys such as the Mission and Bitterroot Valleys. A full list of the National Weather Service Warnings and Advisories are posted below.
Lingering snow showers are expected, especially in higher elevations and northern valleys. Additional accumulations will be light, generally under 3 inches. Morning temperatures near freezing may lead to icy conditions on untreated roads. Highs will climb into the mid-30s, with lows in the upper 20s.
Our next weather maker will approach from the west Sunday into Monday, bringing another round of snow and mixed precipitation. Snowfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible at mountain passes, including Lookout, Marias, and Lost Trail. Valleys may see light snow or rain, with a risk of black ice as temperatures drop overnight. Highs will be slightly warmer, in the mid-30s to low 40s, with lows in the upper 20s.
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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8 AM Friday for the Flathead/Mission Valleys. Total snow accumulations up to one inch by Friday morning. WINTER STORM WARNING from 8 AM Friday through 5 AM Saturday for the Flathead/Mission Valleys due to heavy snow, flash freeze, and mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 5 AM Friday for the West Glacier Region. light snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to one inch. WINTER STORM WARNING from 5 AM Friday through 5 AM Saturday for the West Glacier Region due to heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Kootenai/Cabinet Region. Total snow accumulations 2 to 5 inches Eureka to Whitefish, and Libby, then 6 to 10 inches Bull Lake and between Libby and Happy`s Inn, 12 to 18 inches of snow in the mountains closer to the Idaho border.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Lower Clark Fork Region. Total valley snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Total snow accumulation at Lookout Pass 6 to 10 inches. Ice accumulations around a light glaze.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, with isolated higher amounts nearing 6 inches.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains. This advisory includes Lolo and Lost Trail Passes. The likelihood of minor to moderate impacts from around 1 to 3 inches of snow is 80 percent, and 3 to 6 inches of snow is 50 percent.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Butte/Blackfoot Region. Total snowfall 1 to 2 inches south and west of Garrison Junction including Butte, 3 to 5 inches MacDonald Pass and Ovando.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY through 8AM Saturday for the Potomac/Seeley Lake Region. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches Seeley Lake to Clearwater Junction, 1 to 2 inches elsewhere. Ice accumulations around a light glaze.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 12 PM Friday for Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains. Including the following locations: West Yellowstone, Big Sky, Raynolds Pass, and Targhee Pass. Total snow accumulations up to 3 inches at lower elevations, with up to 6 inches at pass level.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY from 5AM to 5PM Saturday for the Madison River Valley and the Gallatin Valley. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches.
