Sonali Tiwary
This article updates earlier coverage of the Montana winter storm warning that expired at 6 a.m. MDT on Monday, October 12.
If you traveled through portions of central Montana this weekend or had flights out of the Great Falls area, the National Weather Service winter storm warning covering the Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent zones expired at 6 a.m. MDT Monday, October 12. Here is a summary of what forecasters predicted and what conditions the warning zones faced.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and wind advisories for specific zones in central Montana, including the Rocky Mountain Front, Upper Blackfoot, MacDonald Pass, and Gates of the Mountains. NWS Great Falls forecast 10 to 20 inches of snow across those warning zones, with isolated amounts near 30 inches in portions of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Great Falls and surrounding lower-elevation areas were forecast to receive 7 to 14 inches. Wind gusts could reach 45 mph. The warning period ran to 6 a.m. MDT Monday, October 12. Hard freeze conditions were expected, with temperatures dropping significantly overnight in elevation-dependent forecast zones. KTVQ reported that Great Falls Regional Airport experienced approximately three-hour flight delays during the storm event; passengers who had travel scheduled during the warning period should check airline and airport status before making further plans.
Heavy, wet snow and 45 mph gusts can bring tree branches down, interrupt power, and make mountain travel difficult well before official road closure notices post. Road accumulation can differ from what is visible on grass, especially at lower elevations. Travelers should check Montana 511 for updated pass conditions and consult their airline before departure. The immediate consequence during the warning period was a changing travel and outage risk across the listed zones.
Why Wet Snow and Wind Raise Branch Failure and Outage Risk
NWS Great Falls warned that heavy, wet snow combined with wind could bring down branches and cause isolated power outages. That outage hazard is elevated in October when trees may still carry foliage, though NWS attributed the risk specifically to the wet snow and wind forecast rather than issuing a separate foliage-related warning.
On roads, NWS warned that accumulation totals may differ sharply between grassy surfaces and road surfaces at lower elevations, with meaningful road buildup mainly during the evening through late-morning window. A lawn measuring six inches of snow does not translate to six inches of packed snow on asphalt. Mountain pass conditions at Bozeman Pass on Interstate 90 should be verified through MDT’s Montana 511 before departure.
NWS Great Falls forecast 10 to 20 inches in the warning zones — including the Rocky Mountain Front, Upper Blackfoot, MacDonald Pass, and Gates of the Mountains — with isolated amounts near 30 inches in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and 7 to 14 inches for the Great Falls area. Gusts were forecast to reach 45 mph through the warning period, which expired at 6 a.m. MDT Monday, October 12.
NWS warning details and road condition reports are available through official archives. Travelers should check Montana 511 for real-time pass reports and NorthWestern Energy’s outage map for any ongoing power disruptions. Check NWS Great Falls and local emergency management for any follow-up advisories as conditions are assessed.
