Spring snowstorm on track to hit Northern Rockies

A late-spring snowstorm is on track to bring widespread impacts to the Northern Rockies today through Thursday.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Flathead, Mission and Missoula valleys, with the potential for snow levels to drop to 3,000 feet by early Wednesday morning. A trace to 3 inches of wet snow is possible.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the West Glacier and Essex area. Snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches or more is expected for elevations above 4,000 feet in Glacier National Park and Marias Pass.

The heaviest precipitation is forecast from the southern end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness into Seeley Lake and the Mission valley, and in the Bitterroot Mountains. Lookout Pass on Interstate 90 could see up to a foot of snow, and Lost Trail Pass on Highway 93 at the Idaho border could get up to 18 inches.

The storm will move into the Butte area where 6 to 8 inches is possible. Georgetown Lake, MacDonald and Homestake passes could get a foot of new snow.

Temperatures in Kalispell are forecast to dip into the mid 30s on Wednesday night before rebounding into the 60s on Thursday.

Another shot of snow is possible in the mountains on Sunday and Monday before a warm and dry trend returns.