NEIHART – Kings Hill saw this weekend’s predicted snowfall begin to accumulate as early as Friday, while the National Weather Service (NWS) estimates a total of 5 to 9 inches by Sunday.
Existing snowpack at Showdown Ski Area’s highest elevations — the mountain sits approximately 6,476 feet above sea level — was around 22 inches late Friday evening. Approximately 3 to 6 inches had already fallen on Kings Hill Pass by early Saturday.
Showdown Ski Area posted to Facebook on Friday to illustrate the severity of conditions even then. Snapshots of the mountain painted a picture of blanketing snow — with no signs of stopping.
“‘April showers bring May flowers?'” Showdown wrote. The ski season officially ended at Kings Hill on April 14.
…. April showers bring May flowers?#showdownmontana
Posted by Showdown Montana on Friday, April 26, 2019
NWS (Great Falls Office) cautioned via social media Saturday morning that a Blizzard Warning had been issued for most of north-central Montana through Sunday afternoon. NWS warned of hazardous road conditions into the weekend, saying, “Blowing snow [and] whiteout conditions will create poor visibility at times.”
NWS predicts only 3 to 6 inches of lasting precipitation at lower elevations like Great Falls, but wind gusts could reach anywhere from 45 to 60 mph.
“Travel could be very difficult,” NWS advised in the Blizzard Warning issued Saturday. “Widespread blowing snow will create whiteout conditions for several hours. Gusty winds could bring down tree branched and cause power outages.”
NWS specifically cautioned against traveling near Kings Hill Pass.
“A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring,” the advisory continued. “Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely.”
Travel was further identified as “extremely dangerous.”
A representative of NWS Great Falls told MTN Saturday, “estimates we do have are on the order of 3 to 6 inches fell through this morning along the 191 corridor, with 5 to 9 inches likely on some of the higher peaks and especially north-facing slopes.”
The cause of the spring storm, NWS explained, is “a potent weather system coming in from the Pacific that will bring moisture with it, and then draw cold air down from Canada. The cold air and moisture look to combine at just the right time to give us a decent spring snow storm.”
As for the entirety of the Little Belt Mountains — a section of the Rocky Mountain range of which Kings Hill is a part — even more snow is possible.
“Conditions look good for seeing 8 to 14 inches of snow for the northern slopes and peaks of the Little Belts. And for that higher elevation stretch on MT-200 between Belt and Stanford, we’re looking at 6 to 12 inches of snow,” NWS said.
The strongest winds and heaviest snowfall, according to NWS, look to be heading toward “US 191 from Monarch to Kings Hill, and for MT-200 from Belt east through Fergus County.”
Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Brennan Boots, who oversees central Montana, took to Twitter Saturday morning to echo the advice of NWS.
“This advisory is in effect until Sunday afternoon,” Boots wrote. “Make sure to adjust your travel plans accordingly and drive safely if you encounter snow this weekend.”
Just when you thought winter was over! 😒 This advisory is in effect until Sunday afternoon. Make sure to adjust your travel plans accordingly and drive safely if you encounter snow this weekend.#SpringBlizzard#CentralMT https://t.co/ziDuBE7MeX
— Trooper Boots (@trooper_boots) April 27, 2019
“As for travel in higher elevations, we’d strongly recommend against it during the day tomorrow,” NWS Great Falls told MTN, “given the expectation for periods of blizzard conditions with the snow and high winds.”
Download the STORMTracker Weather App for the latest updates on winter weather conditions around Great Falls and the Treasure State.
MTN News and STORMTracker Weather will continue to provide updates on the worsening forecast throughout the weekend.
