The first Arctic storm of the season is moving into the Northern Rockies, and it's bringing pockets of intense snow and bitter cold
Weather forecasters describe the incoming winter weather as a prolonged high-impact event. The strong cold front slipping into the Northern Rockies brings strong winds and pockets of whiteout-producing snow squalls to west, central and southwest Montana.
Travel through Friday morning could be particularly treacherous on the highway corridor south and east of Missoula.
East of the Divide, a winter storm warning is in effect through Christmas Eve for Cooke City and the southern Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains. That area's in for powerful winds and over a foot of snow.
Montana's extended weather forecast for this weekend through at least midweek calls for scattered snow and the coldest temperatures of the season yet. That means daytime highs ranging from the teens and single digits and overnight lows dipping well below zero.
Avalanche danger is considerable across western Montana's mountain ranges, the Flathead Avalanche Center reports. Dangerous conditions are present in the Whitefish, Swan and Flathead Ranges and in Glacier National Park.
According to a video posted by the center, increased snow and wind in the coming days could increase the danger of a slide. The Western Montana Avalanche Center reports considerable danger in the Bitterroot, Rattlesnake and Seeley Lake regions.