Blizzard warning up for Flathead tonight
A rig drives through the Bad Rock Canyon during a snowstorm in this file photo.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning from 5 p.m. Wednesday night through 5 a.m. Thursday morning.
The Flathead County Sheriff's Department said it will close Flathead close Hodgson Road from Trumble Creek to near Whitefish Stage Road. The gates will be lowered this afternoon around 1-3 p.m. The Roads Department is hopeful they can begin plowing late Thursday or Friday morning to clear the area, depending upon weather conditions. We are basing these decisions on the report below:
The storm is expected to drop 10 to 16 inches of snow with 45 mph wind gusts. It will be a quick shot however — it should stop snowing by early Thursday morning.
The evening commute, however, could be raucous, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Lukinbeal.
Lukinbeal said temperatures will drop to zero to 5 below. Thursday will be a cold day with a high about 6.
Temperatures will moderate starting Friday and by Saturday will be in the 30s with a rain/snow mix.
This story has been updated to include the Hodgson Road cloure.