Glacier Park to temporarily close Sun Road due to mudslide hazard
TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 10 months AGO
The west side tunnel of the Going-to-the-Sun road. (Hungry Horse News)
REPORTER AND PODCAST HOST Taylor Inman covers Bigfork and the north shore of Flathead Lake for the Bigfork Eagle and the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on local government, community issues and the people who shape life in Northwest Montana. Inman began her journalism career at Murray State University’s public radio newsroom and later reported for WKMS, where her work aired on National Public Radio. In addition to reporting, she hosts and contributes to Daily Inter Lake podcasts including News Now. Her work connects listeners and readers with the stories shaping communities across the Flathead Valley. IMPACT: Taylor’s work expands local journalism through both traditional reporting and digital storytelling. | September 11, 2024 1:00 PM
Glacier National Park officials planned to proactively close the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road on Wednesday night as a potent rainstorm was expected to swamp the Northern Rockies.
The closure was anticipated to last through early morning Friday due to forecasted heavy rain and thunderstorms that could set off mudslides and falling rock.
Park officials said that the road will be closed between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook.
Heavy rain at rates of half an inch per hour was predicted for the park, where up to 2 inches of precipitation was possible. New or existing burn scars could be susceptible to debris flows.
High elevation snow was also in the forecast above 6,500 feet for Glacier Park, according to the National Weather Service in Missoula. A winter weather advisory was issued for West Glacier from noon Thursday through Friday morning.
Glacier’s mountain terrain will see highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s on Thursday and Friday.
“If you have backcountry plans ... please plan for wet and cold conditions,” the Weather Service warned Wednesday.
Visitors to Glacier Park should check the weather forecast and park road status.
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