A significant winter storm is hammering mountain ranges across Montana and Wyoming Thursday, prompting Winter Storm Warnings from the National Weather Service that remain in effect through Friday for several key areas popular with backcountry travelers and recreators.
The hardest hit areas include the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and the Wind River Mountains, where forecasters are projecting total snow accumulations of 9 to 18 inches, with the highest elevations potentially seeing up to 20 inches before conditions improve.
In the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains near Cooke City, the National Weather Service out of Billings is warning of 1 to 2 feet of total accumulation alongside winds gusting as high as 45 mph. That warning runs through 6 AM MDT Friday. Forecasters are specifically flagging increased avalanche danger as a serious concern for anyone venturing into the high country above 8,000 feet.
The Wind River Mountains are facing a similar situation, with 9 to 18 inches expected across both the eastern and western ranges. South Pass is forecast to pick up 5 to 7 inches on its own, with wind gusts reaching between 45 and 55 mph making travel across the pass particularly hazardous. That warning extends through 6 PM MDT Friday.
Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding Absaroka and Teton ranges are also under warning through Friday morning, with gusts between 30 and 50 mph expected to severely limit visibility across Teton Pass and Togwotee Pass.
Further north, a Winter Storm Warning covers the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains, including Big Sky and West Yellowstone, through midnight tonight. Accumulations of 6 to 16 inches are expected there, with the possibility of isolated power outages and tree damage.
Travelers are urged to carry emergency supplies including food, water, and a flashlight. Road conditions in Montana can be checked by calling 511 or visiting the MDT Road Report website. Wyoming drivers should visit wyoroad.info for the latest updates.
