Weather

Heavy mountain snow and strong winds setting up tonight and Sunday

Posted: Dec 1, 2012 1:54 PM by Meteorologist Mike Heard

A wide variety of severe winter weather statements have been issued for Montana from the National Weather Service as a warm, moist airmass and a strong cold front push through the state tonight through Monday morning.
Favored areas for heavy snow will be along the MT/ID state line from West Yellowstone to Monida pass up to Lost Trail, Lolo and Lookout passes as well as the rocky mountain front. These areas could see 1' to 2' of snow with this storm event and strong west to SW winds 20 to 40 gusts above 50 mph. The combination will produce hazardous travel conditions for the following mountain passes: Monida, Raynolds, Targhee, Lost Trail, Lolo, Lookout and the passes along the rocky mountain front.
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The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for Southern Gallatin, Southern Madison, Southern Beaverhead counties as well as Ravalli, Missoula, Mineral, Sanders, Lake, Flathead and Northern Powell counties.
Timing will vary, the warnings are up now through 5am for SW Montana and begin at 11pm tonight through 5pm Sunday for western Montana.
Snow accumulations of 1'-2' are likely in the warning areas above 5,000'.
SW Winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts over 60 mph will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibilities and whiteout conditions tonight through Sunday evening in the warning areas.

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Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Butte/Blackfoot region above 6,000' from 5am Sunday through 11pm Sunday.
Georgetown Lake, Homestake pass and MacDonald Pass could see 3"-6" of snow with sustained winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts between 40 to 50 mph. Whiteout conditions are possible at times Sunday.

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High Wind Watch is up for Central and SW Montana east of the divide late tonight through Sunday evening.
SW Winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph are possible especially Sunday afternoon. This includes ALL mountain passes and valley floors.

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For the latest travel information from MDOT please visit our STORMTracker Travel Watch page and Chief Meteorologist Mike Heard will have updates on the 5:30pm and 10pm News. Please send us your storm photos via email to photo@kbzk.com or photo@kxlf.com. You can also post photos on our facebook wall.