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MISSOULA- A combination of freezing rain and cold pavement is creating extremely difficult driving conditions in Western Montana this morning, with law enforcement handling a score of "slide off" accidents.

Some of the worst conditions are on Interstate 90 from Lookout Pass east to Frenchtown, and on the freeway east of Missoula. On Lookout, Montana Department of Transportation jas now lifted the requirment of chains on towing units where snow is falling and there is slush and ice on the road.

(photo of Lost Trail Pass courtesy IDT)

The black ice and freezing rain are especially bad from Superior to Frenchtown, with the interstate and the side roads being described as a "sheet of ice" and MHP working several accidents.

East of Missoula, MDT reports severe driving conditions from Bonner east to Drummond, with multiple slide off accidents. We're also receiving reports of high winds east of Drummond through the Deer Lodge Valley.

Driving conditions are also hazardous in the Upper Blackfoot Valley. Freezing rain is causing problems from Bonner north to Helmville, where snow is falling with blowing and drifting snow and high winds over Rogers Pass.

By contrast, U.S. Highway 93 south of Missoula is bare and wet through the Bitterroot, with snow falling from Conner south over Lost Trail Pass into Idaho. U.S. Highway 93 North has black ice up Evaro Hill, with wet roads through the Mission Valley with scattered slush and light snow from Elmo to Kalispell. More snow and slush is reported north of Kalispell to the Canadian border.

Montana Highway 200 has generally wet roads in the Lower Clark Fork Valley, although ice on country roads was limiting school bus travel in the Thompson Falls area.

I-15 has scattered snow and ice over Monida Pass with high winds around Dillon and blowing and drifting snow in the Butte area. More high winds are reported around Great Falls.

Driving conditions should improve in most areas by late this morning, however the National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys until 9 a.m.