Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Weekend Storm Will Bring Hazardous Winter Conditions To Western Montana

Map of National Weather Service predictions for winter storm in Western Montana February 17 and 18, 2018.
National Weather Service
Map of National Weather Service predictions for winter storm in Western Montana February 17 and 18, 2018.

Brace yourselves for some weekend weather. The National Weather Service advises that an arctic cold front moving south across Western Montana this weekend will bring winter storm conditions including snow and high winds to much of the area.

"Travel will be hazardous to impossible with the blowing and drifting snow and low visibility" said an NWS official in a video released Friday afternoon.

Residents from Kalispell down to Missoula should be prepared to see a couple of inches of snowfall by Friday evening, which could impact driving conditions.

Northwest Montana valleys can expect 8-12 inches of snowfall throughout the weekend with the greatest impact late Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning.

Missoula’s NWS station warns that US-2 from Marias Pass into Kalispell and into the Mission Mountains will experience blizzard-like conditions.

As the arctic front moves south, I-90 east of Missoula could see similarly treacherous conditions Sunday morning.

"Wind damage is also possible as winds could gust up to 50 miles per hour which could lead to trees falling on power lines" the NWS said.

The weekend storm will be followed by cold temperatures dipping well below zero across the region starting Monday into early next week.

NWS reminds residents to watch out for frostbite and to take precautions with newborn livestock.

Maxine is the All Things Considered host and reporter for MTPR. She got her start at MTPR as a Montana News intern. She has also worked at KUNC in Northern Colorado and for Pacific Standard magazine as an editorial fellow covering wildfire and the environment.
Maxine graduated from the University of Montana with a master's degree in natural resource journalism and has a degree in creative writing from Vassar College. When she’s not behind the microphone you can find Maxine skiing, hiking with her not-so-well-behaved dogs, or lost in a book.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content