GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Going-to-the-Sun Road is temporarily closed between Avalanche Creek on the west side of the park and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side of the park.
Park officials said in a press release on Saturday afternoon that winter weather in high elevation areas of the road has created hazardous driving conditions, including freezing temperatures, black ice, accumulating snow, and decreased visibility. The park found that standard two-wheel drive vehicles were unable to maintain traction along the alpine sections of the road.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 9 pm tonight until 3 pm on Sunday for the west side of the park. A winter weather advisory is already in effect for the east side of the park. Up to six inches of snow is likely above 4,500 feet west of the Continental Divide. Three to six inches of snow are expected east of the Continental Divide, with localized amounts over 12 inches possible.
Park staff will continue to monitor road conditions and road crews will work where they are able to do so safely. However, given the short-term weather forecast, it is likely that the Going-to-the-Sun Road will remain closed at higher elevations for one or more days.
The park will continue to provide updates via the Current Road Conditions section of the park website and on Twitter. Visitors should monitor these webpages for additional road information, including other roads that may be impacted by winter weather in Two Medicine and Many Glacier.
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