13 hours ago
Rare June winter storm threatens Montana with summer snow, travel warnings issued
Why Is This Winter Storm happening?
Live Events
Key Risks and Precautions
Roads may become icy, causing slick and dangerous driving.
Power lines are at risk of icing over and breaking.
Hikers and trail-goers could face sudden snowpack accumulation and whiteout conditions.
Plows may struggle to clear roads prepared for seasonal conditions, not winter storms.
Safety Recommendations
Delay non-essential travel, especially in and through mountain areas.
Keep emergency kits in vehicles, including blankets, food, water, and flashlights.
Check trail conditions before heading out, and be prepared for winter gear even in June.
Monitor local alerts from the National Weather Service for sudden developments.
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A rare June winter storm is poised to hit parts of Montana, bringing snow at levels usually seen in December. According to the National Weather Service NWS ), the storm could drop up to 12 inches of snow in some areas. The system is expected to impact western and central Montana this weekend. Forecasters warn of hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and dangerous terrain, especially when mountain trails are blanketed unusual event is not typical of June weather. At this time of year, most of the state experiences mild temperatures well above freezing, and this snowfall is a stark snowfall in Montana is sporadic, particularly at these levels. The event recalls significant winter storms more typical of late winter or early spring. It comes only months after warnings that regions like the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains could receive substantial late-season recent months, Montana has seen other off-season snow and winter weather alerts. Just last month, parts of the state saw up to 3 feet of snowfall in higher elevations. The same mountainous zones previously flagged include areas like Cooke City, which received 10 to 16 inches of snow at or above 7,000 say the storm is driven by an unseasonably strong low-pressure system moving in from the Pacific Northwest . This system has pulled cold Arctic air into the Northern Rockies, colliding with lingering moisture-rich air masses from clash of cold and moist air is generating heavy precipitation, and because temperatures in Montana's mountains and high valleys are now dipping below freezing, especially overnight, that precipitation is falling as snow, not the jet stream, which typically pushes north in the summer and keeps colder air in Canada, has dipped unusually far south for this time of year. This allows colder air to funnel into the U.S. interior, creating wintry conditions despite the summer calendar.
