Winter storm to bury mountain passes this weekend

A round of winter weather will create tricky travel conditions across Western Montana beginning Friday through the weekend.

Heavy mountain snow is likely, with lighter amounts expected in the Flathead and Mission valleys.

"It's going to come in waves," warned meteorologist Kevin Shive with the National Weather Service in Missoula. 

Snowfall will ramp up early Friday for Northwest Montana and spread east across the state.

"The bulk of the precipitation is going to fall during the day on Saturday," Shive said. "This is mainly going to be a mountain event for the big snowfall totals."

Places like Lookout, Lolo and Lost Trail passes along the Montana-Idaho border could see up to 14 inches of accumulation, creating difficult travel conditions.

"The primetime for that snow is Saturday morning through midday," Shive said.

The U.S. 2 corridor over Marias Pass south of Glacier National Park will see lesser amounts of up to 6 inches.

Western Montana valleys could get an inch or two, along with gusty winds. There is a 38% chance that Kalispell will receive 2 inches or more snow. Libby has a 65% chance and West Glacier has an 81% chance.

A slight chance of freezing rain or mixed precipitation could complicate road conditions, especially in far Northwest Montana, Shive advised.

"This would be a valley issue where the ground temperatures are going to be cold," he said. "It could lead to some slick spots out there."

High temperatures Sunday could reach the mid to upper 30s.

A break in the weather is expected Tuesday and Wednesday before another wet system arrives. 

Temperatures will be significantly warmer next week with valley temperatures well into the mid and upper 40s, according to the National Weather Service. 

Snow levels next week will be above pass levels with a potential for some record-high temperatures.