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Rare June Winter Storm Warnings Issued for Northern Rockies

Christy Bowen

4 hours ago
A dramatic sunrise photograph of the snow-covered Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming, with alpenglow illuminating the jagged peaks in shades of orange and pink while frost-covered evergreen trees and the partially frozen Snake River fill the valley below — a scene echoing the rare late-June winter conditions descending on the northern Rockies.
The snow-covered peaks of the Grand Teton range in Wyoming capture the kind of winter landscape visitors may unexpectedly encounter this week, as a rare late-June winter storm warning brings fresh snow to the northern Rockies. (Adobe Stock)

Your eyes are not deceiving you. A rare winter storm warning has been issued in late June for portions of the northern Rockies. Read on for the details of this winter weather maker striking at a time when summer is ramping up elsewhere in the U.S.

Winter Storm Warnings in Effect for Northern Rockies High Country

Winter storm warnings are in effect for the higher terrains of Montana and Idaho, with the inclement conditions expected to persist into Tuesday. A potent cold front is bringing frigid temperatures to the northern Rockies into the start of the week. The potentially record-breaking temperatures have been cold enough to support the development of snow in the higher elevations of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

While late-season snow is not unusual in the northern Rockies, the timing of this event on the first full weekend of summer is surprising by any measure. Summer vacationers at some of the country's busiest national parks have been caught off guard by the unseasonal cold and wintry conditions.

Some areas of the northern Great Basin and the northern Rockies will continue to see overnight lows slide into the 30s on Monday night. Daily record lows could be challenged in eastern portions of Oregon and Idaho. The coldest spots could pick up frost or even freeze conditions.

A Climate Central average low temperature forecast map based on NOAA GFS data for June 29, 2026, showing a striking pool of 30–40°F overnight lows centered over Idaho, Wyoming, and western Montana — record-challenging cold for late June — surrounded by warm summer temperatures across the rest of the western U.S.
Climate Central's June 29 low temperature forecast shows overnight readings dropping into the 30s across Idaho, Wyoming, and western Montana — cold enough for frost and freeze conditions in the first week of summer. (Climate Central/NOAA GFS)

Morning lows are forecast to land in the upper 40s to start the week in Boise. In addition to Boise, some areas of the Salt Lake Valley in Utah and over into Reno will see overnight lows in the 40s.

The cold air first moved over the Pacific Northwest late last week. It was an unseasonably chilly weekend for Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. Highs topped out in the 60s and low 70s, marking quite the shift from readings that hit the 90-degree threshold to start the week.

Now that the cold air is moving to the east, it is Idaho, Montana, and the northwestern corner of Wyoming that will carry the banner of the coldest spot in the nation. The mercury will struggle to climb out of the 40s and 50s in this region. For instance, Missoula, Montana, will top out with highs in the 50s on Monday, continuing the trend from the weekend. While this college town will dodge the snow, rainfall of about a quarter of an inch will make for a messy start to the work week.

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winter storm warnings for northern rockieswhere snow is falling this late in junecold temperatures slide from northwest into northern rockiesjune snowglacier national parkyellowstone weathergrand teton weatherrecord cold junelate season snow

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