The federal National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisory notices for parts of Montana and Idaho with more than 10 inches of snow forecasts over the worst impacted areas.
Why It Matters
According to the NWS, some areas will experience “hazardous travel conditions” where people are advised against making unnecessary journeys. Those who must travel should “keep an extra flashlight, food, and water” as a precaution.
In other areas, the NWS warns roads will “likely become slick, slushy and hazardous” with reduced visibility due to falling snow.
What To Know
The NWS update, issued on Friday, says the federal agency has imposed winter storm warnings over East Glacier Park and the West Glacier Regions of Montana.
For East Glacier Park, the warning is in place between 9 a.m. MDT on Saturday and noon MDT on Sunday.
Those living in this area are warned to expect “heavy, wet snow” with “total snow accumulations up to six inches below 6,000 feet, with 12 to 18 inches above 6,000 feet” and wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour.
This is expected to create “hazardous travel conditions, “especially on Going-to-the-Sun Road, Looking Glass Road from East Glacier to Kiowa, and US Hwy 89 over the Hudson Bay Divide.”
A combination of rain and snow could also trigger rock slides and trigger power outages and downed trees. The NWS warns against unnecessary travel for this area.
In the West Glacier Region, the winter storm warning applies from 2 a.m. MDT on Saturday to noon on Sunday.
For this area, the NWS predicts “major impacts from snow” with “considerable disruptions to normal activities.” Some areas will face “dangerous or impossible conditions” whilst residents are urged to “avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible.”
The NWS adds that “extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur,” stating “life saving actions may be needed” with an increased risk from hypothermia.
The agency has also imposed winter weather advisory notices, which are a tier down from warnings, for the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, Sapphire Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Butte/Blackfoot region and Potomac/Seeley Lake region in Montana.
For some of these areas, “roadways will likely become slick, slushy and hazardous” with some disruption expected to normal activities.
Winter weather advisor notices also apply to areas of Idaho including the Challis/Pahsimeroi Valleys and Centennial Mountains, where residents are urged to “be prepared for winter weather conditions.”
Further out, an NWS frost warning is in place for a swath of Nevada whilst frost advisory notices applies to areas of California including Covelo, Gravelly Valley Airport, Hyampom, Forest Glen, Ruth, Peanut, Hayfork and Zenia.
Separately, the NWS has warned of a wildfire risk for areas of southern California including Los Angeles County, which was devastated by wildfires in January.
On June 23, the NWS predicts over 152 million Americans could face major or extreme heat risks, with temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
What People Are Saying
For areas covered with a winter storm warning, the NWS said: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.”
Separately, AccuWeather meteorologists said: “The highest temperatures so far this year will combine with increasing humidity and intense summer sunshine to create dangerous, life-threatening conditions for roughly 170 million people.”
What Happens Next
A heat dome is forecast to strike parts of the U.S. starting this weekend with 141 million people under or extreme heat risk on June 22, followed by 152 million on June 23.
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