Winter weather advisory in Liberty County

A winter weather advisory is in effect for a region from the Rocky Mountain Front as far east as Liberty County, with a special warning for parts of Hill and Chouteau counties.

The advisory, in effect through 6 tonight, says 1 inch to 4 inches of snow could fall with winds gusting as high as 30 mph to 40 mph.

People are warned to plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, adding that gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

The advisory says people should slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or by visiting the Montana Department of Transportation Road Report website at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/detailed.aspx .

In a special weather statement that includes Chouteau and Hill counties, National Weather Service predicts a period of gusty westerly winds, possibly in excess of 40 mph, and bands of snow showers. Snowfall amounts will generally range from trace amounts to about 1 inch, but the heavier bursts of snow could produce localized amounts up to 2 inches or more over a very short period of time. In addition to that, brief visibility reductions below one half mile will be possible, along with slushy roadway accumulations.

Anyone traveling on area roadways this morning should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and highly variable road conditions across short distances, especially over higher terrain and mountain passes, the statement says.