Butte School District cancels Thursday classes due to ominous storm forecast

Forecasts of an formidable winter storm bearing powerful winds and heavy snow led the Butte School District to cancel classes for Thursday.

“Due to hazardous weather conditions, including high wind warnings projected for March 12th, Butte School District is cancelling school Thursday, March 12, 2026. School will resume as usual, Monday March 16, 2026,” the district announced around mid-day Wednesday.

Students also will have a previously scheduled day off on Friday.

The National Weather Service announced Tuesday that wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were possible in the Butte area starting around midnight and through the day Thursday.

A winter storm warning goes into effect at midnight, with 1 to 6 inches of snow expected at lower elevations and 10 to 20 inches atop mountain passes.

Blizzard conditions are possible on mountain passes through Thursday, the service said.

"The greatest concern for strong and damaging winds across lower elevations is focused along the Interstate 90 corridor between Garrison Junction and Anaconda. Periods of blizzard conditions will impact MacDonald Pass, the Georgetown Lake area, and the higher elevations Thursday morning," forecasters wrote Wednesday afternoon.

The snow is expected to persist into Saturday evening.