A winter storm advisory for North Idaho and watch issued Saturday for the Kootenai/Cabinet and Clark Fork regions of northwest Montana have been elevated to winter storm warnings, meaning that the probability of a storm is nearly certain. According to the National Weather Service, A severe winter storm will take place between 5 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. Wednesday, and across North Idaho between 4 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Heavy snow is expected, with five to 12 inches likely in North Idaho valleys and up to two feet in the mountains with winds gusting to 30 miles per hour in the valleys and 50 miles per hour at higher elevations. In Montana, three to six inches of snow is likely in the valleys and up to 22 inches dropping on Lookout Pass. High winds are also expected, with gusts of up to 45 miles an hour predicted.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.