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An arctic air-mass out of Canada is expected to bring dangerous conditions into Western Montana later today. Blowing and drifting snow is expected to begin this evening around 9 p.m., and get worse through the overnight, the National Weather Service in Missoula warned Thursday.

Winds sustained at 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph are expected. Wind chills on Friday could dip to minus 25.

“This could be hazardous to any exposed skin,” the National Weather Service warns. “It would be good for travelers to prepare for this, if in the unfortunate incident they’re stranded due to the conditions on area roadways.”

Locations most prone to these blizzard conditions will be mountain passes along the Continental Divide, particularly Marias and MacDonald Passes, the wider valleys and east/west aligning canyons or gaps in the mountains, such as Bad Rock canyon.

Some isolated roadways could see enough drifting to become nearly impassable.

For the latest forecast updates, visit www.weather.gov/missoula