GREAT FALLS — A late spring storm brought snow to areas of central and western Montana, downed power poles and made travel hazardous along the Interstate 15 corridor from Helena to the Conrad area.
The Montana Department of Transportation said several semi-trailers jackknifed north of Great Falls Friday morning, between Vaughn and Power, blocking the northbound lanes. Traffic was diverted to the frontage road. Three other semis jackknifed in the area between Sieben Flats and the Gates of the Mountains exit north of Helena.
Severe driving conditions were reported on roads in the Simms, Fairfield, Choteau and Augusta areas.
NorthWestern Energy said it had received reports of downed power poles in the Conrad, Valier, Choteau, Power, Ulm, Vaughn and Black Eagle areas. Power outages also were reported in the Cascade, Craig and Holter Dam areas.
The weather service said the snow would taper off from the west to the east early Friday afternoon.