Weather whiplash: Rare summer snow to bring several inches to the Northern Rockies
Just days ago, valleys across Idaho and Montana were baking in the 80s and 90s. But starting Sunday, all of that changed as snow returns to the forecast.
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ROCKY MOUNTAINS — A matter of days is making a huge difference in the Rockies.
Just days ago, valleys across Idaho and Montana were baking in the 80s and 90s, with severe storms in the forecast — typical for June.
Hiking trails were drying out and peak tourism season kicked into high gear from gateway towns like West Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.
But starting Sunday, all of that changed as snow returns to the forecast.
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An unseasonably cold, slow-moving storm system will slam the region, causing temperatures to plummet by a staggering 20 to 30 degrees.
While lower elevations bear the brunt of cold, soaking rain, higher elevations could have unseasonable winter weather.
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Rare late-June Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued.
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On average, Montana typically only sees one Winter Storm Warning in the month of June, while Idaho has only had two such alerts since 2020, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
This system is expected to drop 4 to 8 inches of snow above 6,500 feet, with up to 16 inches of heavy, wet accumulation targeting the highest peaks of the Anaconda-Pintler and Lemhi ranges.
To put this in perspective, the historical average snowfall for this area in June is less than 0.5 inches, even at higher mountain passes, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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This storm highlights the geographic reality of the American West — a region where a wildfire can ravage one state while a winter storm buries another just a few hundred miles away.
Residents and visitors in Idaho and Montana should put summer gear on standby, respect the mountain passes and remember that winter is never truly gone in this region.