Winter Storm Warning Issued for Helena Valley and Surrounding Montana Mountains
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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NWS Great Falls MT has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Helena Valley and nearby mountain ranges, with up to 18 inches of snow and 35 mph wind gusts expected through Saturday.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Winter Storm Warning
- Affected area
- Central Montana
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Great Falls MT
Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Central Montana.
Alert Details
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Great Falls, MT. The alert is effective starting Thursday evening and remains in place through Saturday afternoon.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions in Montana:
- Helena Valley
- Big Belt, Bridger, and Castle Mountains
- Meagher County Valleys
- Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains
What You Should Do
Residents and travelers are advised to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on the situation. Travel could be very difficult, and tire chains may be required for some vehicles. Those planning to be in the backcountry should ensure they are fully prepared for dangerous conditions.
Expected Conditions
Periods of moderate to heavy snow are expected throughout the warning period. Total snow accumulations are forecast to be between 8 and 12 inches, with up to 18 inches possible at the highest elevations. Additionally, winds are expected to gust as high as 35 mph.
Timeline
The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 6:00 PM MDT this evening, Thursday, March 12, until 6:00 PM MDT Saturday, March 14. The hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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