
ALT Infographic titled "Unsettled & Mountain Snow" for October 27 through 31 in Western Montana and North Central Idaho. The left side details mountain and pass snow, noting lowering snow levels and slick travel on passes like Homestake, MacDonald, and Lolo. The right side details valley impacts, including rain possibly turning to snow late week, localized fog, and temperatures in the mid 40s to mid 50s.

ALT Cold rain will transition to snow over Friday afternoon. Overnight lows will be in the 10s/20s beginning Friday night. Potential hazards will be hypothermia and slippery roads/trails. Let others know your travel plans, have an emergency plan and kit ready, have appropriate gear for weather, and be ready for changing conditions.

ALT Graphic titled 'Widespread Valley Rain & High Elevation Snow' for Western Montana and North-central Idaho, valid Thursday Night to Friday. Issued by NWS Missoula. A dark blue background with a photo of snow-dusted mountains and evergreens in the fog on the right under a callout noting snow levels of 6,000+ FT. The left side details impacts. Valleys expect widespread rainfall of 0.10 to 0.50 inches or more, causing potential ponding and hydroplaning. Higher terrain expects snow levels lowering to 5000-6000 feet by Friday evening, with 1 to 4 inches of wet snow above 6,000 feet, potentially causing slushy roads on high passes like Homestake on I-90 and MacDonald on Highway 12.

ALT West winds will increase through the morning hours on Saturday and become strong through the afternoon and evening hours. Wind gusts approaching 75 mph are possible over this timeframe, most notably for areas along and west of the US Hwy 89 corridor. Travelers should be prepared for difficult travel conditions, especially those operating high profile vehicles.

ALT Strong wind safety tips. Provide plenty of space between you and other vehicles, especially high-profile vehicles and those pulling trailers. Use two hands on the steering wheel and do not drive distracted. Secure loose outdoor items like lawn furniture, trash cans, and holiday decorations. Look out for fallen or falling trees, powerlines, or debris. Trees that were previously weakened by the last winter storm will be at a higher risk for additional damage!




















