Snow and wind shuts down the region

A blizzard that far surpassed expectations has shut down, delayed or rescheduled multiple events and services in this area, including public and school bus services, school classes and other services, with more expected to come.

A winter storm warning is in effect for part of this region through 5 a.m. Wednesday, with more snow expected in the following days and the temperatures predicted to again drop to well-below zero.

Liberty County was part of a winter weather advisory in effect, also through 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Worse weather is in place farther east, with a blizzard warning in effect through this evening in Phillips, Valley and Roosevelt counties.

National Weather Service reported at 9:45 a.m. that more than 6 inches of new snowfall had been recorded at Havre City-County Airport, and high winds had been causing major drifting since early morning.

Several local schools announced they would close today due to the blizzard conditions, with others announcing limited or altered busing, and other services and events closed or delayed.

North Central Montana Transit is not running today.

Havre Animal Shelter also announced it is closed to the public today and the Havre office of The Salvation Army announced it would be closed today due to the weather.

Blaine County Library is closed, and Chippewa Cree Tribal Court announced it was starting late, at 10 a.m., as was Aaniiih Nakoda College, although outlying students could attend via Zoom.

Chester-Joplin-Inverness Public Schools announced school was canceled for today.

"Stay safe and warm," the district's Facebook post said.

North Star School announced it will be closed today due to weather and road conditions, with no school, no extra-curricular activities and no practices.

"We do not know at this time if we will need to make this day up," the district said in a relese. "Stay home, stay safe and see you tomorrow."

Box Elder Public Schools also announced school was canceled for today due to the weather.

"Please be warm and safe," the Facebook post said.

Havre Public Schools announced it would not run out-of-town buses this morning but in-town buses would run.

The Davey School February board regular meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. The next meeting will be Monday, March 6, at 5 p.m.

The Blaine County Spelling Bee has been rescheduled till Thursday, and Chinook Public Schools announced that no morning buses would run, but buses would run in the afternoon for those students who make it to school today.

"Please plan accordingly: Our buses plan to run as per normal tomorrow, but with the snow and wind, it may delay them some so bus riders should be patient if they are a little late," the district's Facebook post said. "Please give yourselves additional time tomorrow and Wednesday morning."

Harlem Public Schools announced that the People's Creek Route would not go to People's creek due to hazardous driving conditions. The bus would go to Rodeo Drive.

"Stay safe," the Facebook post said.

The advisory in Liberty County predicted up to two more inches of new snow with winds gusting up to 45 mph. and roads, especially at bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Blowing and drifting snow may significantly reduce visibility at times, the advisory said.

The winter storm warning in effect for Blaine, Hill and northeastern Chouteau counties predicted up to three additional inches of show with winds gusting up to 55 p.m. causing significant blowing and drifting snow reducing visibility to one-quarter mile visibility or less at times.

That warning also warned that roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely be slick and hazardous.

Roads in this region were mainly listed on the Montana Department of Transportation online interactive map at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/detailed.aspx as having scattered snow and ice, with some listed as severe driving conditions, although none were listed as closed at the time this article was written.

The lows tonight in this region are expected to drop to colder than minus 10, with highs the next few days predicted to be below zero and the low Thursday to hit colder than minus 20.

Snow is in the forecast through Thursday morning, then expected to taper off.

Temperatures are expected to get back into the 20s by Saturday 30s by Sunday.