Sharp cold front to drop snow on Glacier Park

A winter weather advisory was issued for Glacier National Park beginning Wednesday night as a potent front out of the Gulf of Alaska descends on the Northern Rockies.

Up to 5 inches of snow is possible in the mountains around West Glacier and on Logan Pass through Thursday afternoon. People planning to visit the park are advised to be prepared for raw conditions.

The Flathead Valley will be spared from winter weather as snow levels initially hover around 5,000 feet, but lower elevations will see plummeting temperatures, rain and strong winds.

As the cold front arrives, winds of 35 to 45 mph from the west are expected to cause a surge of waves on Flathead Lake and other large bodies of water that could be dangerous for small boats. Power outages and tree damage are also possible.

Valleys may see up to 0.30 inches of rain, while mountains could receive up to 0.85 inches of liquid, the National Weather Service in Missoula reported.

The coldest air moves in Friday, dropping snow levels to about 4,000 feet. Mountain temperatures will top out in the 30s over the weekend, and the valleys will struggle to reach the 50s. Heavy bursts of graupel are possible in the Flathead Valley, while frost is possible on Sunday and Monday mornings.

"Bottom line for the weekend: Pack for winter if you are heading outdoors," the National Weather Service warned. "The combination of wet snow, wind and near-freezing temperatures is dangerous for those only prepared for spring."