10/10/2026
MAJOR WINTER STORM THIS WEEKEND IN MONTANA❄️a significant early-season winter storm is expected to bring widespread accumulating snow, strong winds, and potentially dangerous travel conditions across much of Montana this weekend into early Monday!
WINTER STORM WARNINGS have now been issued, with some of the heaviest snowfall expected across the mountains and foothills of central and western Montana. Unlike many early-season storms, accumulating snow is also expected to reach several lower-elevation communities.
SNOW FORECAST:
❄️10-20+ INCHES: Southern Rocky Mountain Front, Upper Blackfoot region, MacDonald Pass, and surrounding higher terrain. These areas could experience some of the most significant snowfall from this storm
❄️6-12 INCHES: Little Belt, Highwood, Elkhorn, Boulder, Big Belt, Bridger, and Castle Mountains. Snowfall rates could become heavy at times
❄️5-10 INCHES: Great Falls, Judith Basin, Judith Gap, White Sulphur Springs, and surrounding areas
❄️3-9 INCHES: Butte, Georgetown Lake, Homestake Pass, and nearby communities
❄️2-5 INCHES: Many lower-elevation communities across north-central and southwestern Montana, including portions of the Bozeman and Gallatin valleys. Helena could receive 3-5 inches
❄️12+ INCHES POSSIBLE: the Absaroka-Beartooth and Crazy Mountains remain under a Winter Storm Watch, including the Cooke City and Beartooth Pass areas
Snow will begin developing across parts of Montana on Saturday, with conditions deteriorating Saturday evening and overnight. The most significant impacts are expected Saturday night through Sunday, with snow lingering into early Monday. Most warnings and advisories continue until 6 AM Monday, although some higher-elevation areas could remain impacted longer.
Wind gusts of 35-45 mph will accompany the storm in several areas. Combined with heavy, wet snow, these winds could bring down tree branches and cause isolated power outages. Blowing snow and reduced visibility may also create hazardous travel conditions, particularly across mountain passes.
Anyone planning to travel across Montana this weekend should prepare for rapidly changing conditions, especially along mountain highways and passes. Travel could become very difficult, and potentially impossible around Beartooth Pass and Cooke City. This is shaping up to be a substantial early-season winter storm for parts of Montana, with enough heavy, wet snow to create significant travel disruptions and localized power problems. Make preparations before Saturday evening, and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle if travel is necessary❄️