NOAA: Winter Storm Warning for Montana Today | 10-15″ of Snow Forecast

NOAA issued its first Winter Storm Warning of the 2016/17 winter today.

The Winter Storm Warning if for a huge swath of Montana.

NOAA is forecasting 10-15″ of snowfall for Montana today and tomorrow.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...10 TO 15 INCHES...GREATEST ABOVE 8000 FEET.
- NOAA Billings, MT today

Winter Weather Advisories are also issued all over western Montana.

These Winter Weather Advisories are calling for 3 to 13″ of snowfall today and tomorrow.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...3 TO 6 INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS...WITHISOLATED AMOUNTS 
NEAR 13 INCHES AT RIDGE TOPS. 
- NOAA Billings, MT today

“Expect off and on showers across the lower elevations, with some thunderstorms, and mountains will see accumulating snowfall. A few strong to severe storms are possible in eastern areas (i.e. Miles City, Ekalaka, Baker) this afternoon.” – NOAA Billings, MT today

WINTER STORM WARNING for MONTANA:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
240 AM MDT MON OCT 3 2016

ABSAROKA/BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS-CRAZY MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE LOCATIONS OF...COOKE CITY

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM MDT
TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6
PM MDT TUESDAY.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL MAKE OUTDOOR RECREATION DIFFICULT
  OR IMPOSSIBLE IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. BEARTOOTH PASS WILL BE
  IMPACTED BY ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL.

* TIMING...RAIN SHOWERS WILL CHANGE TO SNOW THIS AFTERNOON.
  SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...10 TO 15 INCHES...GREATEST ABOVE 8000 FEET.

* WINDS...WEST TO NORTHWEST GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL CAUSE BLOWING
  SNOW OVER THE HIGH PEAKS