Winter Storm Warning Issued for Little Belt, Highwood, Snowy, and Judith Mountains

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Winter Storm Warning for several mountain ranges in central Montana. The warning is in effect from 6:00 AM MDT Thursday, March 12, through 6:00 PM MDT Saturday, March 14.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Little Belt Mountains
• Highwood Mountains
• Snowy Mountains
• Judith Mountains

Expected Conditions

Residents and travelers in the affected areas should prepare for severe winter weather conditions:

• Snow Accumulation: Total accumulations are expected to be between 1 and 3 feet. This will be a multi-day snowfall event, with occasional lulls in the snow.
• Wind Speeds: Wind gusts are forecast to reach between 65 and 85 mph on Thursday.
• Travel Impacts: Heavy snow and high winds will make travel very difficult. Tire chains may be required for some vehicles.

What You Should Do

The NWS advises the following precautions for those in the warning area:

• Travel Safety: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
• Road Conditions: Check the latest road reports by calling 5 1 1 or visiting the MDT Road Report website.
• Backcountry Safety: Individuals in the backcountry should ensure they are prepared for dangerous conditions.
• Livestock: Ranchers are encouraged to monitor the Cold Air Advisory for Newborn Livestock on the NWS webpage to assess the degree of stress on young animals.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning begins at 6:00 AM MDT on Thursday, March 12, and is scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM MDT on Saturday, March 14.