snow

With winter just around the corner, what can we expect as far as winter weather this year in Montana and just how far away is the first significant snowfall?

Storm Warnings and Weather Advisories are covering southwest Montana through Tuesday morning. Valleys may only see a couple of inches of fresh snow, while higher elevations may get up to 10 inches - making travel difficult at times.

The falling snow isn't supposed to last that long and the concern is mainly for higher elevations. But Tuesday night could get very messy with up to 5" of fresh snow and 45 MPH winds showing up for about 12 hours.

Travel could be very difficult at times in parts of southwest Montana through Monday morning. Several inches, perhaps up to 6 inches of snow is expected to fall intermittently in this weekend storm.

It's literally the perfect storm for Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Baker, and everywhere in between. Heavy snowfall, dangerous winds, and drastically cold temperatures are expected across most of Montana. Don't be surprised if Emergency Travel Only statements are issued.

Another powerful system is moving into Montana, affecting dozens of counties and popular mountain ranges - meaning powder days at the ski hill! Southwest Montana should be a large recipient of the snow, with up to 20" of snow at high elevations.

Monday might be a little sketchy. Just when you finished all the shoveling and chipping away at ice in the driveway, another storm is moving in that may dump up to 10" of fresh powder in the higher elevations surrounding Bozeman.

Get ready for a round of significant snowfall followed by sub zero temperatures across dozens of Montana counties. Snow in the valleys could make driving conditions difficult, but the mountain passes could get well over a foot of fresh snow.

Southwest Montana counties are in for another round of snow, with 4" to 6" falling in the higher elevations and 1" to 3" inches slated for the valleys by Monday afternoon.

Get ready for a slow commute and fresh round of shoveling, especially in southern Gallatin and Madison Counties. Lots of mountain snow and very gusty winds are possible in the higher elevations with this storm.

Traveling by car may pose challenges to Montanans ahead of Thanksgiving. Lots of mountain snow along with melting then freezing road conditions are in the forecast.

Ask five Montanans about what time is appropriate to start snow blowing, and you'll get five different opinions. Snow blowing etiquette exists, but snow blowing TOLERANCE is more important.