Huge waves, power outages likely

A high wind warning was issued Friday for Flathead and Mission valley residents as a rare and potentially historic winter storm was expected to roar into the region overnight.

With damaging wind gusts of 50 mph expected, the National Weather Service in Missoula advised people to avoid being outside, especially in forested areas due to the possibility of falling trees.

“If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive,” the Weather Service cautioned Friday afternoon. The high wind warning was in effect through Saturday night.

Along with blow-down trees, widespread power outages were expected.

Gusts on Flathead Lake were predicted to reach 60 mph, stirring up wave heights from 3 to 6 feet, with locally higher waves. Waves of this size could damage boats and docks around the lake, the Weather Service warned.

“When the strong winds and cold air start to interact with the relatively warm waters of Flathead Lake, it makes the perfect setup for big, damaging waves on the lake,” the Weather Service warned.

The wind event marks the first punch of the three-phased storm to impact all of Montana.

Heavy mountain snow was predicted to begin Friday night and last through Sunday. Snowfall totals of 1 to 4 feet were expected along the Continental Divide and over Marias Pass along U.S. 2. Brief blizzard-like conditions are possible, making travel difficult.

Snow won`t start to accumulate in most of the valleys until Saturday night due to warm ground temperatures. By Sunday, 1 to 4 inches of snow is possible in the Flathead, Mission and Missoula valleys.

East of the divide, places like Havre and Cut Bank could be digging out of 2 feet of snow. A foot of snow could bury Great Falls.

By the time the storm calms down Monday, the cold settles in. Near-record lows in the Flathead Valley will dip into the 20s, and teens are possible for some higher locations.

In anticipation of the storm Glacier National Park closed much of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the alpine section may not reopen this season.

The scenic road has been closed between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass for the last two weeks while undergoing pavement preservation work. Though that work was scheduled to conclude Sunday, it is possible the road will not reopen on Monday, depending on the amount of snowfall in higher elevation park areas, the park stated in a media release Friday.

The protective coating that was applied to the road over the last two weeks is still curing and snowplows could significantly damage it. Therefore, any snow that falls may need to melt naturally before the road can open again.

The alpine section of the Sun Road typically closes for the season in mid-October, providing time for crews to install snow poles and remove guardrails in advance of winter avalanches.

The park also closed Two Medicine Road and Many Glacier Road in anticipation of the storm, and Many Glacier and Two Medicine Campgrounds also closed. They may reopen for fall primitive camping when the storm passes.

St. Mary Campground remains open, though camping is discouraged during the storm.