Storm could bring 12-18 inches of snow to mountains

The remnants of Pacific typhoon Pabuk is predicted to bring heavy rain and mountain snows to northwest Montana.

The National Weather Service in Missoula says moderate to heavy rain will begin Friday night and intensify over the weekend. Some locations could see 2 to 3 inches of rain by Monday.

Mountain snow could develop Sunday evening into Monday morning. There is potential for snow levels to drop as low as 5,000 feet by Sunday night, with snow amounts of 12-18 inches a possibility. Gusty winds are expected, which could lower visibility significantly.

There is a possibility that snow levels could lower further, impacting passes such as Lookout and Marias.

The NWS warns of dangerous conditions in the backcountry.

"Extremely intense snowfall in the higher elevations is expected to develop later Sunday and continue Monday creating potentially life-threatening weather conditions in the backcountry," the NWS states.