EBS STAFF
A Polar Vortex has descended on northern U.S. states and Big Sky is seeing sub-zero temperatures this weekend. As of 3 p.m. on Jan. 12, the National Weather Service Great Falls reported that Town Center’s temperature reads 4 degrees, though wind chills are as low as minus 25 in some areas. Tonight, temperatures are expected to hit a low of minus 28 and wind chills of minus 40.
At Big Sky Resort, temperatures are ranging from minus 6 to minus 22 today, according to BSR snow reports, and winds are blowing at 10 to 25 mph at mid mountain. The resort will have a delayed opening on Saturday, Jan. 13, according to their website due to cold temperatures, and a warming center with movies and hot cocoa will be available to guests in the Yellowstone Conference Amphitheatre.
Saturday is expected to be the coldest day of the weekend with a high of minus 3 in Big Sky during the day and wind chills reaching minus 40. The NWS notes that temperatures and wind chills to this extreme can cause frostbite within minutes.
Bridger Bowl closes for the day
This morning, Jan. 12, Bridger Bowl made the call to close the ski area for the day as temperatures plummeted overnight in Bozeman. Bridger’s base area touted minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit this morning, while portions of the terrain were in the mid-negative 20. The ski area asks passholders to remain updated on announcements on their website for closings and openings during the weekend.
