Just when we were starting to enjoy the longer days and teasing out those springtime plans, winter’s blowing back in with a vengeance — and it’s bringing a lot more than just a chilly breeze.
A major winter storm is heading straight for Montana’s mountains starting Wednesday afternoon, and it’s expected to stick around through Friday morning. Forecasters are saying this one could dump up to 20 inches of snow in some higher elevation spots. Yeah… twenty.
When’s It Hitting?
The snow will likely kick off as rain late Wednesday, then turn heavy and wet overnight. The worst of it? Thursday — that’s when the snow really starts stacking up.
It should ease up by early Friday, but not before it leaves a serious mark.
Who’s In the Bullseye?
This is mainly a mountain storm, so areas like:
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Big Sky
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Cooke City
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Red Lodge
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Livingston
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And the Absaroka, Beartooth, Big Belt, Bridger, and Crazy Mountains
…are all in the storm’s direct path. Folks living near or traveling through these areas should be extra cautious.
What to Expect
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Snow totals: Most mountain spots will see around 9–15 inches, with some getting up to 20 inches, especially on east- and northeast-facing slopes.
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Winds: Gusts up to 40 mph, which could mean blowing snow, whiteout conditions, and even avalanche danger in the backcountry.
If You’re Hitting the Road…
High mountain passes like:
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Bozeman Pass
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Battle Ridge Pass
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US-212 near Red Lodge
…could be tough to get through, or even impassable at times. Tire chains might be needed, and conditions will be changing fast — keep your eyes on road updates.
How to Get Ahead of It
If you’re in one of these storm zones, here’s what you can do:
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Bring in pets or make sure they’ve got warm shelter
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Stock your car with snacks, warm clothes, and emergency supplies
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Avoid mountain travel if you can from Wednesday night through Friday morning
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Check forecasts often — things can change quickly with storms like this
The Silver Lining?
After this storm moves through, the skies start to clear again by the weekend. But don’t let that fool you — this is going to be a wild 48 hours, especially in the high country.
This storm’s no joke. It might be mid-April, but Montana’s weather plays by its own rules. So whether you’re heading to work, the slopes, or the ranch — be prepared, stay safe, and maybe hold off on putting away that snow shovel just yet.
