Snow, Rain and Cold For Last June Weekend in Montana

If you've been in Montana for any period of time, even just a couple of years, you realize this is a state where winter is never that far away.

And this weekend will certainly prove that theory to newcomers, as the high country of Western and Southwest Montana is being targeted by a cold, wet system that seems likely to bring AT LEAST snow showers to terrain above 6,500 feet.

And actually, there's a chance a few inches of snow could accumulate in some of the ranges, setting up a tricky, hypothermic weekend for people who don't check conditions.

NWS graphic

Yes, a Winter Storm Warning

Friday, a cold front pushed into West Central Montana, erasing all but the memories of what has been a very warm week, with highs into the mid and even the upper 80s.

     ❄️ But in typical Big Sky fashion, temperatures will be as much as 30 degrees colder this weekend.

The National Weather Service has posted Winter Storm Warnings for the Bitterroot, Sapphire and Garnet Mountains, and the Anaconda-Pintlar Wilderness, as well into eastern Idaho in the Lost River and Lemhi Ranges, with snow levels down to 6500 feet.

Winter weather advisories for the high country in SW Montana encompass the higher valleys like the Big Hole, as well as locations like the Gravely Range, Centennial Range, and the Madison Range.

While snow showers are a certainty, the low isn't fast-moving, and that could allow for a few inches of accumulating snow. So people hiking, climbing, or camping at the higher elevations need to be prepared to be wet and cold.

A Rainy Weekend for Glacier

Visitors trying to enjoy the first weekend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road won't be getting many pictures either, with possible high country snow, but heavy rain is the main problem. The forecast models have suggested anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain, and this time of the year, that can often lead to the GTTSR being closed because of flash flooding and slides, so be sure to check conditions.

No one overheating for THIS Marathon

Saturday's races for Missoula Marathon weekend look to be damp as well, especially for the 5K on Saturday morning, with showers persisting into the afternoon. The main Marathon weather on Sunday looks wet too, with a 90% chance of rain at race time and highs dropping into the mid 50s. Steady rain will continue Sunday evening into Monday.

READ MORE: All the Details For Missoula Marathon Weekend