Snows of Winter Finally Arrive
In the Lost Trail Pass photo this morning (photo above), the road doesn't look too bad for winter driving, but you can't see very far. That's because of the wind, which is forecast to continue blowing through Tuesday, especially in the Big Hole, east of Lost Trail, over Chief Joseph Pass. So, if you're heading to Dillon from the Bitterroot, be ready for some hazardous conditions.
The system that brought snow to most of Western Montana has passed by, but the National Weather Service in Missoula is forecasting a weather system moving into the area Monday night into Tuesday morning, first affecting the Bitterroot Mountains, along with Lookout and Lolo Passes, and then spreading through all of western Montana by Tuesday morning.
Southwest Montana, including the Dillon area (and Chief Joseph Pass again) will get the brunt of a huge cold front coming up from California and Oregon. That cold front will bring low temperatures to all of Montana by Wednesday, too - highs in the 30s and lows in the teens.
Meanwhile, northwest Montana will receive some snow from another system which will drop some snow over Marias Pass and will reach as far south as Lookout and Lolo Passes. And, then there's the weekend - another disturbance is coming on Saturday.
The Montana Highway Patrol is again advising drivers to adjust their driving habits. Do NOT try to follow the speed limits. Those 65 and 70 miles per hour signs are for "good" conditions. When there's snow and blowing snow in the wind, you should slow down. Oh, and buckle up. Wearing your seatbelt can save your life in a car wreck.