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Incoming snowstorm to impact travel on popular highway

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 12:24 GMT by Newsweek
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Montana’s Worst Winter Storm of the Year: A Comprehensive Look

In the early hours of Thursday, the state of Montana was plunged into a fierce winter storm that has been dubbed the most severe in recent memory. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for 16 counties across the state, predicting anywhere from 12 to 18 inches of snow, accompanied by a deep trough that could push temperatures down to –20 °F in some pockets. The storm, part of a larger pattern affecting the western United States, threatens to disrupt travel, shut down schools, and overwhelm emergency services across the region.

The Warning and Forecast

According to the NWS’s official bulletin, the storm front was moving rapidly from the west, bringing a cold air mass from the north. Forecast models show that the bulk of precipitation will fall between 4 p.m. and midnight, with a second burst of sleet expected early the next morning. The National Weather Service emphasized that visibility will drop to a few feet in certain areas, and winds will pick up to 40–50 mph in the plains, increasing the risk of blizzard conditions.

A link embedded in the article led directly to the NWS’s “Winter Storm Warning” page for Montana, which includes real‑time radar and satellite imagery. The page highlights that the storm is an evolution of the “Red River Basin” low that has been moving through the Great Plains, and that the moisture influx will be particularly intense over the eastern valleys and the Flathead region.

Immediate Impacts

Transportation Disruptions
Highway 2 (US‑2) in western Montana was closed at 9:30 a.m. after the first heavy snowfall began. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT), referenced through an external link in the article, announced that Interstate 90 (I‑90) from Billings to Great Falls would remain closed until the morning of Friday, as road crews struggled to clear the thick, slushy snow that quickly turned into a dangerous, black‑ice surface. Local news outlets corroborated these closures, noting that several major truck routes were impacted, prompting a brief spike in freight delays.

School and Business Shutdowns
Montana Public Schools, linked in the piece, issued a full closure for all districts from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning, citing unsafe travel conditions. Many private businesses, especially in the tourist-heavy Missoula and Bozeman areas, also closed their doors early in the day. The article quoted the Missoula County Clerk, who explained that the decision was made after a county-wide assessment of road safety and the availability of emergency response resources.

Power Outages and Emergency Preparedness
Montana’s power grid was strained as the wind gusts and heavy snow battered power lines across the state. According to the Montana Power Company, approximately 2,000 homes in the eastern plains experienced outages before the storm began, and the company is currently working to restore power to affected areas. The article includes a reference to the state’s emergency management office, which issued an advisory for residents to stockpile food, water, and batteries.

Local Responses

State Mobilization
Governor Greg Gianforte, linked in the article to the Montana Governor’s official communications, ordered the activation of the state’s emergency operations center. He also requested the deployment of the National Guard to assist with road maintenance and to provide emergency shelters in the worst‑affected counties. A press release from the governor’s office indicated that the Guard would be equipped with de‑icing trucks and portable heating units.

Community Shelters
The article highlighted the opening of temporary shelters at the Billings Community Center and the Great Falls High School. Local volunteers, coordinated by the Montana Red Cross, are helping to distribute blankets, hot meals, and basic supplies. The Red Cross’s page—another link embedded in the article—shows that over 400 families have already checked in for assistance.

Weather Monitoring and Communication
The National Weather Service’s “Storm Tracker” app was heavily downloaded, according to data cited in the article. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the NWS’s text alerts for updates. The article also referenced the “Montana Weather Alert” hotline, which provides 24‑hour support for emergency questions.

Historical Context and Looking Forward

Comparing the storm to historical data, the NWS’s climatology page—linked from the article—shows that the amount of snow predicted is comparable to the 2016 “Big Blow” that hit the state. The article notes that climate scientists predict more intense winter storms in Montana due to the warming of the North Pacific, a phenomenon that was briefly discussed by a local university meteorologist quoted in the piece.

While the immediate threat is diminishing by Thursday night, the article stresses that secondary impacts will linger. Snow that drifts into mountainous terrain could create roadblocks that will require professional plowing. The risk of power outages remains high as heavy snow accumulates on power lines.

Conclusion

The Montana winter storm of early Thursday has turned what might have been a routine snowfall into a crisis that tested state preparedness, emergency services, and the resilience of local communities. With 12–18 inches of snow, sub‑zero temperatures, and high winds, the storm is a stark reminder of the volatility of the Mountain West’s winter weather. As state officials continue to mobilize resources and as residents adapt to the new reality, the storm’s after‑effects will likely shape policy and emergency response for months to come.