Sun Road - Weather may play big role in pass plans

Glacier National Park’s often-used phrase, “weather permitting,” could come into play with Friday’s planned opening of the full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the east side of the park through the early morning hours of Friday, with heavy precipitation and even snow expected over the next couple days.

“Today we’re expecting a pretty good amount of rain and on the east side of the  park it could result in flooding,” meteorologist Dan Zumpfe said Wednesday afternoon.

The park could receive as much as an inch of rain, and with lower temperatures and descending snow levels, as much as an inch of snow could accumulate at Logan Pass by Friday morning.

“Friday morning I think will be the biggest threat for snow on the road,” Zumpfe said.

The park recently announced plans to open the entire 50-mile Sun Road corridor on Friday, the earliest date the road can be opened because of a contractual requirement that allows for both lanes of the historic highway to remain closed for construction purposes up to June 21.

The road opened to Logan Pass from the east side last weekend but has remained closed from the west side.

“If there’s snow on the road that certainly could impact how soon they open the road,” Zumpfe said.

The forecast includes a 100 percent chance of rain for the greater Flathead area today and Friday, with progressively declining chances of rain Saturday and Sunday.

Park officials have yet to announce a time for the planned Friday opening, but they frequently urge visitors to call 888-7800 for road information or check “Going-to-the-Sun Road Information” on the park website at www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm.