UPDATE: WINTER STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR BOZEMAN!
National Weather Service issued a WINTER STORM WARNING for Gallatin and Meagher counties beginning at 11 pm Tuesday through 5 am Thursday.
Heavy snow is likely and will have a severe impact on travel both down in the lower valleys and over area mountain passes.
Gusty winds are also possible with this storm and there could be blowing snow, lower visibility and drifting Wednesday.
Possible snow accumulations for Bozeman, West Yellowstone and White Sulphur Springs of 4″ – 9″ and mountains and passes could see over a foot of snow.
Dangerous travel impacts are likely at all levels in the warning area with snow covered and icy roads and periods of moderate to heavy snow reducing visibility and at times gusty winds causing blowing snow and near whiteout visibility.
Travel is not recommended at this time!
Storm will begin after midnight Tuesday and will last all day Wednesday and begin to diminish after midnight Wednesday into Thursday morning.
BOZEMAN – Another high impact storm event is coming to Montana tonight through Thursday morning!
This storm will produce widespread areas of snow and strong surface winds. The two combined will produce hazardous travel impacts with heavy wet snow and areas of blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility especially for mountain passes.
Wind prone areas could see gusts over 30 mph and include: Norris Hill, Whitehall, Warm Springs, Three Forks to Townsend along with falling snow. Strongest winds will occur in the Livingston to Big Timber areas with gusts over 60 mph.
Snow accumulations will vary in SW Montana with Bozeman to West Yellowstone likely to pick up another 3″ – 6″ or more vs. Dillon with around 1″ – 3″ possible. Butte and along the Continental divide could also see 2″ – 5″ of snow.
WINTER STORM WARNING:
The National Weather Service has a WINTER STORM WARNING up from Missoula to Spokane, WA tonight into Wednesday morning.
Lookout Pass on I-90 could see a foot of snow along with wind gusts over 30 mph. This will be a dangerous travel weather pattern Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening for I-90.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY:
The National Weather Service has a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY up for most of western, central and SW Montana tonight through early Thursday morning.
Periods of snow and wind will produce hazardous travel impacts with reduced visibility, snow covered and very icy roads for valleys and especially for mountain passes.
General snow accumulations: Most (not all) valleys could see 2″ – 6″ of snow and most mountain passes could see 6″ – 12″ of snow.
Wind gusts to or over 30 mph are possible and could produce blowing and drifting snow and very low visibility.
WIND ADVISORY:
The National Weather Service has a WIND ADVISORY up for the Livingston to Big Timber region of I-90 tonight through Wednesday afternoon.
Peak wind gusts could reach or exceed 60 mph.
Snow is also possible with accumulations. Snow and blowing snow and severe crosswinds will produce dangerous travel impacts.
WINTER STORM WATCH:
The National Weather Service has a WINTER STORM WATCH up for the Absaroka/Beartooth region tonight into Thursday night. This will likely get upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.
Snow accumulations of a foot or more is likely along with wind gusts over 30 mph producing extreme back country conditions and higher avalanche danger.
City by City Forecast:
BOZEMAN: LOW: 17°; HIGH WEDNESDAY: 33°. Snow likely after midnight. Snow and wind will impact Wednesday mornings commute. Snow accumulations 3″ – 6″ or more is possible for Bozeman. Gusty winds at times could produce localized blowing snow hazards Wednesday afternoon and evening and impact the evening commute as well. Bozeman pass could see 6″ – 12″ of snow along with gusty winds Wednesday producing hazardous travel impacts.
BUTTE: LOW: 15°; HIGH WEDNESDAY: 33°. Increasing snow is likely for Butte Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening. Snow accumulations of 2″ – 6″ is possible along with gusty winds producing blowing snow and difficult wintry travel. Nearby mountain passes could see 6″ – 12″ of snow.
DILLON: LOW: 18; HIGH WEDNESDAY: 36. Increasing snow and wind is possible for Dillon. Forecast models show lighter total snow accumulations but even with light snow and wind gusts to 30 mph look for blowing snow and reduced visibility Wednesday impacting travel. Nearby mountain passes could see 6″ – 12″ of snow along with strong surface winds and hazardous travel impacts tonight through early Thursday morning.
WEST YELLOWSTONE: LOW: 2°; HIGH WEDNESDAY: 22°. Increasing snow tonight for West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park. Snow could be heavy at times along with periodic wind gusts to 30 mph producing blowing snow and reduced visibility. 3″ – 6″ or more is possible for West Yellowstone with over a foot likely for higher mountain ranges.
