The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for snow and cold temperatures to impact areas of the northern Rockies of Montana and Idaho starting Wednesday evening through Saturday.

Meteorologist Genke Kino said the weather system moving into the area will bring mountain snow and colder temperatures.

"The system coming in will bring from five to seven inches of snow primarily to the mountain passes, and following that, another system with arctic cold will move through the area," Kino said. "Overall, the temperatures in western Montana will be much cooler. Areas near the continental divide and West Glacier will experience cold northeasterly winds with wind chills as low as minus 10 degrees."

Kino said the major mountain passes in the area will experience several inches of snow through Saturday.

"We're mainly looking at Lookout, Lolo and Marias passes to experience the most snowfall," he said.

Kino said the valleys may receive a skiff of snow, but little to no accumulation.

Meteorologist Genke Kino

The National Weather said the Seeley-Swan valley, the Butte-Blackfoot and the Pintler regions should be aware that the cold temperatures may impact young and newborn livestock, with the coldest temperatures expected on Saturday morning. The lows could reach below zero in the vicinities of Avon, Helmville, and Ovando.

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