Winter storm watch issued for northwest Montana

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Northwest Montana.

Weather officials say the peak of the storm is expected Friday night through Saturday with a second wave of possible heavy snow Sunday evening through Monday.

Total snow accumulations of between four and 22 inches and ice accumulations of about one-tenth of an inch are possible. Chance of moderate to major impacts from snow or ice is at least 50 percent.

The watch includes Highway 56 Bull Lake Road, Polebridge, U.S. 2 from Kalispell to Libby, Highway 83 from Bigfork to Swan Lake, Flathead Valley, U.S. 93 Eureka to Whitefish, Highway 37 Eureka to Libby, Essex, Polson, Flathead Lake, Bad Rock Canyon, Marias Pass, and Mission Valley.

Officials say travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening and Monday morning commutes, especially over higher passes.