'Stay off the roads': Winter weather closes Interstate 15, other highways north of Helena

The inundation of heavy snow Saturday caused road closures around Helena and Sheriff Leo Dutton urged people to stay off the roads.

"We are advising people to stay off the roads if they don't need to be out," Dutton said.

As of 3 p.m. Saturday, Interstate 15 was closed in both directions between Lincoln Road and Wolf Creek due to zero visibility and multiple vehicles crashes.

"Together with the Montana Department of Transportation, we are declaring severe driving conditions from the Lewis and Clark County line at Helena North to the Canadian border. Travel is not recommended. Severe conditions exist," Dutton said.

U.S Highway 287 between Augusta and Choteau has also been closed.

The National Weather Service in Great Falls issued a blizzard warning for Teton County, Pondera County, and parts of Cascade and Lewis and Clark Counties, because of additional snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

A winter storm warning was issued for nearly all of central Montana until 6 p.m. Saturday.

"If you don't have to be on the roads, don't go. Snowfall combined with strong winds are causing downed trees and power lines," Lewis and Clark County Emergency Management posted said in a Facebook post. "Snow is drifting on some roadways, especially in the West and North of the county."

"Our Public Works has deployed everything they've got out on the roads to keep main routes open," the post reads. "There will be some roads they can't get to for a while and some that will drift again before they can get back to them."

Dutton advised road crews were moving resources further north in the county where conditions were even more severe and expects more roads to close as a result, like Stemple Pass.

The Sun Canyon and Benchmark area reportedly has had 18" of snow plus heavy winds.

In the Marysville and Birdseye areas 10-15" of snow has fallen and blizzard conditions are widespread.

Some reports show Lincoln has received a couple of feet of snow that has caused power outages. Travel not advised, per their Lincoln Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Zach Muse.

Several commercial vehicles lost traction on I-15 over Boulder Hill creating lane blockages. The Montana Department of Transportation is now requiring chains on towing units over the hill.

"Expect delays, and please use caution if you must travel through the area," Jefferson County Sheriff's office said in a statement.