Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA- Western Montana's relatively quiet winter is about to be shaken up with several feet of snow expected to fall in the mountains throughout the week. The National Weather Service office in Missoula has issued several watches and warnings for the area.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from late Tuesday night through Thursday morning for the Flathead and Mission valleys.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Tuesday and east winds will likely increase and could cause some visibility issues due to blowing snow. The snow will likely decrease Tuesday night, only to return again Wednesday morning.

Periods of light to moderate snowfall are expected throughout Wednesday with the possibility of heavy snow across the Mission Valley late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Freezing rain may become possible Thursday morning, further accentuating the dangerous nature of the upcoming winter storm.

Snow accumulations from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning are expected to be in the range of 3" to 6". From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning an additional 6" to 8" of snow are possible with local areas potentially receiving more. At this time the heaviest snow appears possible across the southern Mission Valley.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the Lower Clark Fork region from this evening through Thursday morning.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Monday and road conditions will become slick at times.

Snow accumulations will increase in intensity starting Tuesday and will continue through Thursday. Major travel impacts are expected due to high amounts of snow especially over mountain passes.

Total snow accumulations of 2" to 5" are expected by Monday afternoon and Tuesday through Thursday accumulations of 10" to 16" in valleys and 24" to 36" over Lookout Pass and throughout the high terrain are expected.

A Winter Storm Watch also remains in effect from this evening through Thursday morning for the Kootenai/Cabinet region.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Monday and road conditions will become slick at times.

Snow accumulations will increase in intensity starting Tuesday and will continue through Thursday with major travel impacts expected due to high amounts of snow, especially over mountain passes.

Expect 2" to 5" of snow by Monday afternoon with additional accumulations of 16" to 24", with higher amounts possible over mountain passes and throughout the high terrain Tuesday through Thursday.

The areas expected to be impacted by the storm include U.S. Highway 2 from Kalispell to Libby, Montana Highway 37 between Eureka and Libby, Montana Highway 56, Bull Lake Road and U.S. Highway 93 from Eureka to Whitefish.

A Winter Storm Watch remains for the northern and southern Clearwater Mountains as well as for the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains from late tonight through Thursday morning.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Monday and road conditions will become slick at times through Monday morning.

Snow accumulations will increase in intensity starting on Tuesday and will continue through Thursday with major travel impacts expected due to high amounts of snow, especially over mountain passes.

Snow accumulations of 1" to 3" are expected by Monday afternoon and then from Tuesday through Thursday accumulations of 36" to 48", with higher amounts expected over mountain passes and throughout the high terrain expected. The lower elevation accumulations of snow are expected to range between 6" and 12".

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from late tonight through Thursday morning for the West Glacier region.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Monday and the snow will combine with wind to produce blowing snow and slick road conditions at times.

Snow accumulations will increase in intensity starting Tuesday and will continue through Thursday with major travel impacts expected due to high amounts of snow, especially over mountain passes.

Look for snow accumulations of 4" to 7" by Monday afternoon and then Tuesday through Thursday, accumulations of 24" to 36" with higher amounts possible. The will increase to 20 mph to 30 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph possible.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the Seeley Lake and Potomac region from late tonight through Thursday morning.

Snow showers will increase and become heavy at times through Monday and road conditions will become slick at times.

Snow accumulations will increase in intensity starting Tuesday and will continue through Thursday with major travel impacts are expected due to high amounts of snow, especially over mountain passes.

Expect total snow accumulations of 2" to 5" by Monday afternoon. Tuesday through Thursday look for accumulations of 24" to 36" with higher amounts possible over mountain passes and throughout the high terrain.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from late Tuesday night through Thursday morning for the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys.

The presence of scattered snow showers today and tonight could result in periods of reduced visibility and slick roadways. However the more widespread and persistent
snowfall will begin Tuesday morning. Periods of light to moderate snowfall will cause travel issues throughout the night into Wednesday morning.

Significant accumulating snowfall is expected on Wednesday throughout the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys with periods of heavy snowfall likely. To further accentuate the complexity and dangerous nature of this winter storm, freezing rain may become possible early Thursday morning and persist throughout the morning.

Total snow accumulations from Tuesday to Wednesday morning are expected to be between 2" and 4". Then from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning, an additional 6" to 12" are possible. Total accumulation from Tuesday through Thursday could range between 8" and 16".