Well that escalated quickly. Nobody ever said Montana weather was boring. Some mountains in southwest Montana may get hammered this weekend with 10 to 20 inches of snow piling up by Sunday afternoon.

All of this happening in a drastic turn from the seemingly endless days of gorgeous, warm fall weather we've enjoyed. Most people have agreed this has been the longest and prettiest autumn Montana has seen in decades. So, that was nice while it lasted.

According to the National Weather Service:

  • WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
  • WHAT...Heavy snow possible.
  • Total snow accumulations of up to 10 inches below 7000 feet with 10 to 20 inches possible above 7000 feet.

  • WHERE...Little Belt and Highwood Mountains and Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains.
  • WHEN...From late Friday night through Sunday afternoon.
  • IMPACTS...Recreation in the mountains could be impacted by heavy snow and travel could be difficult over some mountain passes including Kings Hill and Reynolds Pass.

With such a quick onset of winter conditions, we should all take extra caution this weekend...even if only a few inches of snow ends up falling. WHY? Because this will be the first real snowfall to hit anywhere other that high mountain passes.

You'll see above that it's POSSIBLE for up to 10 inches to fall at elevations below 7,000 feet. That could create some horrendous driving conditions. Not to mention all the new people who have moved here with little experience driving in snow. OR, the people who haven't done the right thing and prepared for winter with new tires, wipers, or whatever they need to do.

Get our free mobile app

5 Crucial and Creative Tricks to Effective Recycling in Montana

This guide will help your recycling efforts go the furthest. Learn what to recycle and what NOT to recycle, and alternative ways to recycle items that you're not supposed to put in the bins.

More From The Moose 94.7 FM