Travel to be “impossible” as heavy snow hits one state

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warned that travel could become “impossible” in parts of Montana this week as a winter storm brings heavy snow to the area.

NWS offices in Billings and Great Falls, Montana, issued a winter storm warning on Tuesday afternoon. The warning will go into effect at 3 a.m. local time on Thursday morning and is expected to last through Friday afternoon.

Snowfall between 3 and 15 inches is expected in the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains. Strong winds gusting as high as 30 mph also are expected, the NWS office in Billings warned.

“Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. Travel and recreation will be very difficult to impossible,” the warning said. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

Up to 6 inches of snow is expected below 7,000 feet and 6 to 14 inches of snow is expected above 7,000 feet in the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains, as well as the Centennial Mountains, the NWS office in Great Falls warned. Winds will gust as high as 35 mph.

“Travel could be difficult and tire chains may be required for some vehicles. Those in the backcountry should ensure they are prepared for winter conditions,” the warning said. “Hunters, especially those in the Gallatin, Gravelly, and Madison Ranges and Tobacco Root Mountains, should be prepared for winter conditions.”

NWS meteorologist Brian Tesar told Newsweek that this is the time of year that snowstorms begin to happen. He said the biggest concern is “heavy, wet snow” in the high country.

“We’d hate to see people up there recreating, hikers and maybe some hunters that are unprepared for it,” he said.

Tesar added that the snow will likely stick around for the higher elevations, although it might gradually melt off below 7,000 feet. The Billings area is headed for cooler weather moving forward.

“We were getting some mild, above-normal temperatures for the last month and a half or so, but I don’t think we will see a lot of that going forward,” he said.

The winter storm warnings come as much of the rest of the U.S. is experiencing cold weather. Freeze warnings and frost advisories are in place across much of the central and Midwestern U.S., with some warnings in place along the East Coast as well.

“Cooler temperatures, rain and light snow are forecast for the Midwest and portions of the Eastern U.S. early this week as a cold front progresses through,” the NWS said.