Mountain Snow: 10″ for Butte, 5″ for Bozeman Area
Our mountains are getting another round of snow, with up to 10 inches near Homestake Pass and Georgetown Lake. The high elevations around Bozeman are only supposed to see up to 5" by Tuesday morning.
There was an avalanche fatality this past weekend in Beehive Basin. (Yesterday in Colorado there were two avalanche fatalities.) According to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, in the last 24-hours, the Bridger Range got 8” of fresh snow and the mountains near Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Cooke City, and south of Bozeman got 2-4”.
- WHAT: Winter Weather Advisory for most of southwest Montana
- WHEN: Some advisories will expire Monday evening while others are in effect through Tuesday or even Wednesday evening.
- WHERE: Specifically, the mountains around Butte and Bozeman (this includes areas of Homestake Pass, Georgetown Lake and the Bridger Mountains.)
- HOW MUCH SNOW: Accumulations of 1 to 4 inches. Higher amounts of up to 10 inches for the mountain region around Georgetown Lake. 1 to 3 inches at lower elevations and 2 to 5 inches in the mountains around Bozeman.
- The big winner looks to be the Lolo Pass area near the Montana/Idaho border. They may see 10 to 20 inches above 2000 feet with this Winter Weather Advisory. (Their advisory lasts through Wednesday evening.)
- West Glacier Region and Flathead/Mission Valleys may see up to 8" new snow.
- You can check the weather forecasts and SNOTEL site information HERE
- You can also check the snow and avalanche education calendar through the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center HERE.
As always, use caution while traveling through advisory areas. Blowing and drifting snow can become an issue very quickly, reducing visibility on the road. Keep an up-to-date emergency kit in your vehicle.