Emergency travel only in Missoula, Lewis and Clark counties

HELENA, Mont. – Emergency travel only is advised in Missoula and Lewis and Clark counties after a snowstorm caused difficult driving conditions in the Missoula and Helena areas.

In Missoula County, officials were recommending emergency travel only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday due to the possibility of a flash freeze.

Lewis and Clark County issued an “essential travel only” advisory Friday due to severe driving conditions.

The Montana Department of Transportation listed several areas with severe driving conditions at mid-day Friday, including U.S. Highway 89 south of Livingston, Interstate 90 between Reed Point and Springdale and on U.S. 191 for 20 miles north of Big Timber. Severe driving conditions were also reported on U.S. Highway 2 between West Glacier and Essex.

Roads elsewhere were snow-covered, icy or slushy. Black ice was reported in the Fort Benton area.