An Important Montana Sunday With More Needed Snow

Montana is a long way from having a normal snow pack for the year, but up to 6" of snow is expected on Sunday in parts of the state. That's in addition to whatever snowfall Montana has received so far this weekend. Fingers crossed for a very snowy Sunday. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for much of Montana.

Heavy, wet snow is a serious concern for Sunday across the state. Very slushy roadways can make driving difficult - not just the sloppy road surface, but snow and water spray from other vehicles. FILL YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID!

Southwest Montana is currently between 74% and 82% of normal snowpack. (Snow Water Equivalent median as measured by the USDA's National Water and Climate Center.

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT.
• WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches on the foothills, with another 3 to 6 inches possible at and above mountain pass level.
• WHERE...Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, and Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains.
• WHEN...Until midnight Sunday night.
• IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
• The wet and heavy nature of the snow combined with gusty winds could lead to isolated power outages and tree damage.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling.
• The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1

In north central Montana, the snowpack level is in a serious deficit and levels are currently at 30% of median snow water equivalent in the Bear Paw Basin. To the west of that, the Sun-Teton-Marias basin is at 63%. Needless to say, the expected snow on Sunday is welcomed.

• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT
• WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches on foothills, with another 2 to 4 inches possible in the mountains.
• WHERE...Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine County.
• WHEN...Until midnight Sunday night.
• IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
• The wet and heavy nature of the snow combined with gusty winds could lead to isolated power outages and tree damage.

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Taking a look at the Billings area, driving condition are expected to be even worse on Sunday, with the surrounding (high elevation) area getting significant amounts of snow along with VERY gusty winds - until 6pm on Sunday. Lots of rain and very gusty wind is expected for the Billings metro.

• WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY NIGHT
• WHAT...Wet snow and patchy blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 8 inches in the higher hills.
• Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
• WHERE...Musselshell, Northeastern Yellowstone, Northern Big Horn, Southwestern Yellowstone, and Treasure.
• WHEN...Until 6 PM Sunday evening.
• IMPACTS...Lower elevations, including most populated locations, will see light snow accumulations and minimal travel difficulties, with roads remaining wet or slushy.
• The impactful snow accumulations will be confined to the higher hilltops, where 4 to 8 inches of additional heavy wet snow is expected.
• Locally heavier accumulations are possible on north facing slopes.
• The heavy wet snow and poor visibility will make rural travel difficult.
• The combination of gusty winds and wet snow may bring down tree limbs and power lines, resulting in power outages.