This Could Be The Biggest “Winter” Storm in Montana

National Weather Service forecasters are warning we're heading for a stretch of major winter weather in Montana, the remainder of this week, even though you might think winter is over.

A very strong system will push into the Northern Rockies later tomorrow and into Thursday, bringing winds that could gust to 70 and even 80 miles per hour over the peaks and passes along the Continental Divide, 60 to 70 miles per hour along the Front and North Central Montana, with a "high end scenario" even showing possible gusts of 90-miles per hour in some locations.

     💨 Winds in the Billings region could gust to 60 miles per hour, and 40 to 50 miles per hour in the valleys of Western Montana.

But the snowfall could be the big headline here. Forecasters say we should expect FEET of snow, perhaps as much as 2 to 6 feet in the peaks of the Bitterroot, Mission mountains, and areas along the Divide, making for "impossible" travel with blizzard conditions in the backcountry.

But the storm could be exactly what we need for runoff

This may turn out to be the late-season relief we need for Montana's snowpack.

NWS hydrologist LeeAnn Allegretto says while we received very robust precipitation in December, it was too warm, and then too dry, to build the snowpack.

"But the majority of this precipitation fell is rain, and that's where our deficit is coming from. So, while we benefited in some ways from the huge amount of precipitation that we received in this area. We did not benefit from it in the form of a much needed snowpack base." -NWS Hydrologist LeeAnn Allegretto

As of last week, it looked like only two rivers in Western Montana would even show minor signs of flooding.

"So as of March 1st, if we look at a flood outlook, from now to July 1st, 2026, there's only 2 locations that even show any hint of reaching their flood stage or exceeding their flood stage," Allegretto explains in her report. "And that would be the Flathead River, Columbia Falls, and the Clark Fork River above Missoula."

Again, though, that's based on the March 1 report, which could change significantly with this incoming storm, although long-range forecasts are also showing a very strong ridge of high pressure, with dry, warm conditions that could develop over the West later next week.

More details, charges in Missoula shooting

Missoula County prosecutors are charging a Billings bail bondsman with deliberate homicide, saying he opened fire on a fugitive as he attempted to get away in his car.

33-year old Brandon Wakefield was one of a group of four bondsmen who attempted to arrest the victim, later identified as Joshua Wykle, outside the Reserve Street Town Pump last Wednesday.

Investigators say Wykle was in his car when the armed bondsmen pulled up behind his car, emerging with guns. Missoula Police say the shots were fired when Wykle attempted to back away, with Wakefield firing two shots into the driver's side. Wakefield attempted CPR, but the fugitive died at the scene.

Wakefield is being held on a $1 million bond with a hearing set for next week.

     A second bondsman, Austin Mistretta has been charged with assault with a weapon.

READ THE FULL STORY OF THE SHOOTING