Glacier closes portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road starting 9 p.m. for forecasted storm

Clouds gather before a downpour in Glacier National Park. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

Glacier National Park officials will close the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road at 9 p.m. on Wednesday through early morning Friday this week due to forecasted moderate to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms, the park said in a news release. Storms make the area susceptible to mudslides and falling rock. The road will be closed between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook, the park said. The National Weather Service issued a forecast for Wednesday for moderate to heavy rain showers with thunderstorms. Half inch or greater per hour rain rates are possible. New or existing burn scars will be susceptible to debris flows. Known rockslide areas, such as Glacier National Park, may experience rock and mudslides. Thursday through Friday, persistent widespread rain will continue to cause rockfall or debris flow risks, especially in the park. The closure will remain in place until Friday morning unless conditions improve, the park said. The park will continually evaluate the conditions to see when the closure can be lifted. Visitors are encouraged to prepare for inclement weather if they plan to travel to the park this week. Check the weather forecast and park road status before a visit, dress for varying degrees of weather, carry the ten essential emergency items, and be on alert for potential hazards on roadways and trails, the park recommended.