Montana winters bring snow-packed passes, blowing snow on open highways and sudden closures. Checking conditions before you leave is the single most useful habit.
Official tools
- 511 Montana: the Montana Department of Transportation’s travel information system, available by phone (dial 511), online and through its app. It shows road conditions, closures, construction and roadside camera images.
- National Weather Service offices in Missoula, Great Falls, Glasgow and Billings issue winter storm watches and warnings for their areas.
- Montana Highway Patrol posts major incidents and closures.
Before you drive
- Carry a winter kit: blankets, water, food, a flashlight, a shovel and traction aids.
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full on rural routes, where services can be far apart.
- Tell someone your route on long trips, and remember that cell coverage drops out in parts of the state.
For more background, see our explainers on what wildfire evacuation levels mean, Montana’s hunting season basics, and how Montana county government works. Find more stories in our Local News section.
Sources
- Montana Department of Transportation, 511 Travel Info: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/
- National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/