The National Weather Service is forecasting a major late winter storm for the higher elevations of western Montana with blizzard conditions in the high country above 4,500 feet from Thursday into Saturday.

There’s a 90% chance of 25 inches of snow at Marias Pass and some of the higher models are saying there could be as much as 55 inches of snow, noted National Weather Service meteorologist Jen Kitsmiller. It will be windy, too, with wind gusts up to 70 mph. 

“It will be full-out blizzard conditions in the backcountry,” she said. 

Places like East Glacier Park could also see heavy snow, she noted, as a strong atmospheric river of moisture accompanied by high winds streams over the state. 

West Glacier and lower valleys will see primarily rain, though a couple inches of snow could fall in the lower west side of Glacier Park, with much more expected in the higher terrain. 

Lows will be the upper 20s and highs in the 30s Thursday and Friday in East Glacier and in the 20s on Saturday. West Glacier and the Flathead Valley will see highs in the 40s and lows just above freezing. 

While the weather will be awful for traveling over mountain passes, the moisture is sorely needed, as snowpacks are below average.

“In a lot of ways, it’s beneficial,” Kitsmiller said.