Montana Weather: Winter Warnings, Advisories For Billings, Missoula

BILLINGS, MT — Much of Montana will be under a winter storm warning or winter weather advisory Monday night as parts of the state expect to see up to 14 inches of heavy snow.

A winter storm warning will go into effect late Monday and last through 6 p.m. Wednesday for a large swath of the state, including Billings, Red Lodge, Gillette, Livingston, Helena, Butte and Great Falls.

Heavy snow of between 8 inches and 14 inches was expected, along with wind gusts of up to 35 mph, the National Weather Service warned.

"Travel will be very difficult to impossible," the weather service said. "Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday morning and evening, and Wednesday morning commutes."

Meanwhile, Glasgow and Missoula will go under a winter weather advisory from 3 p.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Tuesday. Areas under the weather advisory can expect snow , including about an inch of accumulation in Missoula, up to 3 inches from Lolo to Victor, and 4 to 8 inches from Hamilton to Conner.

"Travel could be affected," the weather service said. "Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility."

Winds of up to 35 mph — a gusts up to 55 mph — were expected in the Missoula Valley, while gusts of up to 60 mph were possible in the Rattlesnake area. Winds of up to 35 mph were possible in the Bitterroot Valley on Monday night into Tuesday morning, the weather service said.