Storm clouds lift to reveal a fresh blanket of snow on Big Mountain near Whitefish on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. About 20 inches of fresh powder has accumulated on Whitefish Mountain Resort over the last week. A winter storm watch is in place through Friday for the Flathead Valley, where heavy snow is possible along with winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Temperatures are expected to rapidly drop well below zero by Thursday. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)

January 9, 2024