Updated: Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m.
A weekend of rain transitioned into an overnight snowstorm in Northwest Montana, giving residents the first real taste of winter and closing Going-to-the-Sun Road at the foot of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.
The region is under a winter weather warning through Tuesday morning amid persistent cold temperatures, precipitation and high winds, according to the National Weather Service. Snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are expected in the valleys with upwards of one foot or more in the higher elevations of the backcountry. Slick driving conditions were reported across the Flathead Valley. Gusts of wind reaching 35 mph were reported on Flathead Lake.
The National Park Service said initial reports were that nearly a foot of snow had fallen on the east side of the park and a few inches on the west side by Monday morning.
The winter weather forced the closure of the Sun Road near Apgar.
The Inside North Fork Road is currently closed at the Polebridge Ranger State Main Gate and Fish Creek. The southern end of the road is open to Camas Creek, approximately 6.5 miles north of the Fish Creek junction.
The Camas Road is closed at McDonald Creek and the Camas/North Fork entrance due to the weather. The Chief Mountain Road, Many Glacier Road and Two Medicine Road remain open.
Here’s a breakdown of the snowfall, courtesy of the National Weather Service:
