Winter Advisory: 2″- 6″ for Southwest Montana by Tuesday Afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for several mountain ranges across Gallatin and Madison counties, including the Ruby Mountains, Southern Beaverhead Mountains, Centennial Mountains, and the Gallatin and Madison ranges.

The advisory goes into effect at 11:00 P.M. Monday and remains in place until 5:00 P.M. MST Tuesday.

Forecasters are calling for 2 to 6 inches of snow at lower elevations across much of the area, and up to 10 inches possible in the mountains.

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While those numbers may not sound extreme by Montana standards, timing and wind could make this system more impactful than it appears on paper.

The advisory covers several high-travel corridors and mountain communities, including:

• Targhee Pass
• West Yellowstone
• Monida Pass
• Big Sky
• Raynolds Pass
• Bozeman Pass

These are all areas where winter driving conditions can deteriorate quickly, especially overnight and during the Tuesday morning commute window.

What's the Difference Between a Winter Storm Watch, Warning, and Advisory?

Officials warn that travel could be very difficult at times, particularly at higher elevations and open stretches where blowing snow reduces visibility. Even lighter accumulations can create slick roads when paired with gusty winds and dropping temperatures.

Give yourself extra time, keep your headlights on, and make sure your vehicle is winter-ready. Also, it's important to keep a winter emergency travel kit in your vehicle.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, call 511 or check the Montana Department of Transportation’s road report website before you head out.