A vigorous cold front is set to bring the season’s first meaningful mountain snow to Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front, with Glacier National Park’s high terrain, including Logan Pass, expected to see accumulating snowfall tonight into Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service office in Great Falls says snow levels could drop as low as 5,000 feet along the Rocky Mountain Front, bringing a sharp change after a stretch of unseasonably warm weather.
Snow Levels Dropping Fast
Forecasters say the higher terrain of Glacier National Park, including Many Glacier, St. Mary, Two Medicine Valley and Marias Pass, could see accumulating snow as the front moves through overnight.
Logan Pass is a particular focus. NWS Great Falls estimates around a 30% chance of 3 or more inches of snow there and at other nearby mountain peaks. A reasonable high-end total for the event runs from less than a tenth of an inch in the lowest terrain up to 4 to 6 inches in the highest elevations.
NWS Great Falls shared the outlook as the front approached.
Backcountry and Trail Impacts
The combination of cold, damp conditions is raising the risk of hypothermia for anyone caught in the backcountry without proper gear. Forecasters expect minor roadway accumulations near Logan Pass.
Hikers should plan ahead for wintry trail conditions above roughly 6,000 feet, where snow could linger on exposed terrain into the weekend.
NWS Great Falls issued an earlier warning as the system first came into view.
Part of a Bigger Statewide Pattern
The mountain snow arrives alongside a broader windstorm moving across Montana. High Wind Warnings are in effect along the Rocky Mountain Front and the state’s northern high plains, with gusts forecast as high as 70 mph in some areas.
Travelers heading toward Glacier National Park this weekend should check current road conditions before heading out, since both snow and high wind could affect mountain routes at the same time.
Safety Reminders
Backcountry recreationists are urged to pack proper cold-weather gear and check the forecast before heading into higher elevations.
Drivers near Logan Pass should watch for slick spots where snow accumulates on the roadway overnight and into Saturday morning.
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