Major winter storm forecast for area

Most areas of Clearwater County are covered with snow Sunday evening since a major winter storm has dropped several inches of snow over the last few days.

National Weather Service-Missoula is forecasting a powerful winter storm will pound the Northern Rockies with an unrelenting period of heavy snow that will begin Sunday night and is expected to persist in many areas through Tuesday evening.

There will be significant impacts to travel, commerce and public safety are likely due to the anticipated transition from powdery snow to heavy, wet snow over the next 24 hours.

They have issued a Winter Weather Warning for the upper elevations in the area and a Winter Weather Advisory for lower locations.

Orofino, at elevation 1,040 feet, is expected to get rain, heavy at times Sunday night with a high around 37 degrees. More rain is forecast Monday as temperatures rise. Monday night, more rain is forecast with lows around 37 degrees. Tuesday there is 40 percent chance of rain.

Pierce, at elevation 3,241 feet, is expected to get snow Sunday night with a low near 28 degrees. A rain/snow mix is forecast Monday with a high near 36 degrees. Monday night, the low should be around 32 and chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Tuesday, more rain snow mix is forecast.

There may be freezing rain around Grangeville and the Camas Prairie Monday morning causing hazardous travel conditions. Heavy snow is expected at higher elevations, especially over the mountain passes and the backcountry.