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A small but intensifying area of low pressure is spinning its way into Central Idaho at 4 p.m. this afternoon and should work its way into SW Montana early tonight and continue to track slowly eastward into Thursday afternoon.

This system is expected to dump some serious snow over SW Montana both over the mountains and down in the valleys as well.

WINTER STORM WARNINGS are up for all of SW Montana through noon Thursday. West of the divide the Warnings include the mountains and valleys. Butte to Anaconda to Georgetown Lake will likely see 3"-6" of valley snow and mountains 6"-12". East of the divide WINTER STORM WARNINGS are up above 6,0000' and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY below 6,000'. Valleys 2"-5" of snow likely with 6"-12" over the mountain passes.

Gusty N-NE winds are likely as well which will produce localized areas of blowing and drifting especially through the mountain passes, however, the snow is expected to be heavy and wet thus minimizing whiteout conditions. Wet slushy roads will ice up into Thursday morning so your morning commute to work will require more travel time.

Impacts of this storm:

• Power outages are possible. Heavy wet snow and gusty winds will be a load and strain on power lines and power poles in our region thus outages are possible.
• Icy roads for travelers both over the mountain passes and down in the valley floors.
• Young livestock will find this wet and windy and cool weather difficult over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Temperatures should slowly begin to warm up Friday and by the weekend most of us should see highs in the upper 40's to mid 50's, thus, any accumulating snow in the valleys should melt away in short order beginning Friday.

More information on this storm is available on my blog page: www.mikeheard.wordpress.com

Please folks send us your storm photo's and video's via email to the following addresses:

photo@kbzk.com or z7tips@kbzk.com

photo@kxlf.com or newstips@kxlf.com