The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches & Winter Weather Advisories for Idaho & Montana Thursday Night – Saturday Morning.

A strong fall storm is expected to hit the west late this week. Cold temperatures are expected to arrive along with it, which will turn rain into snow.

Up to 10″ of snow is expected to fall Thursday Night – Saturday Morning.

NOAA Has Issued A Winter Weather Advisory For:

Idaho

Montana

NOAA Has Issued A Winter Storm Watch For:

Idaho

Montana

Snow levels will start out around 7,000ft on Thursday Night and drop below 6,000ft by the time Friday Morning rolls around.

Additional Storm Information:

Idaho: Up To 10″ of Snow Through Saturday Morning

* Accumulations: Snow accumulation of up to 2 inches on mountain passes Thursday and Friday nights , with falling snow melting on road surfaces during daylight hours Friday. Snow accumulation of 4 to 10 inches above pass level. - NOAA Great Falls, MT Today

Montana: Up To 10″ of Snow Thursday Night – Saturday

*Accumulations: Snow accumulation of up to 2 inches on mountain passes Thursday night, with falling snow melting on road surfaces during daylight hours Friday. Snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches over the Rocky Mountain Lewis Range, and up to 10 inches above pass level in the Little Belt and Boulder mountain ranges. - NOAA Great Falls, MT Today

Winter Weather Advisory For Montana:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Great Falls MT 345 AM MDT Wed Sep 13 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM FRIDAY TO NOON MDT SATURDAY FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 7000 FEET... The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Winter Weather Advisory For elevations above 7000 feet for snow, which is in effect from 3 AM Friday to noon MDT Saturday . * Locations: Big Hole Pass, Chief Joseph Pass, and Targhee Pass. * Timing: Rain will change to snow Thursday night as snow levels lower to around 6000 feet. Snowfall rates will peak Friday morning. Mountain snow will continue through Friday night, gradually ending from west to east on Saturday. * Accumulations: Snow accumulation of up to 2 inches on mountain passes Thursday and Friday nights, with falling snow melting on road surfaces during daylight hours Friday. Snow accumulation of 4 to 10 inches above pass level. * Winds: North 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph . * Snow Level: Lowering to 6000 feet . * Impacts: Slushy snow accumulation Thursday night will cause minor travel difficulties over mountain passes. Wet and raw conditions could cause hypothermia issues for firefighters, hunters, and anyone else caught unprepared in the backcountry.