Ice storm closes airport, city bus service in Great Falls, Mont.; numerous crashes reported

Ice storm closes Montana airport

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — An ice storm in central Montana has led to the closure of the airport in Great Falls.

The Great Falls Transit District also suspended its bus service Monday morning, telling drivers to stop where they were until the streets become safer.

Great Falls International Airport closed its runways Monday morning due to the freezing rain, but planned to reopen them around noon, said Stephanie Wasilewski, administrative assistant for the airport authority.

Ice accumulations of up to a half-inch were expected in Great Falls, Big Sandy, Fort Benton, Conrad, Fairfield, Stanford, Lewistown, and on Kings Hill Pass and Lewistown Divide.

The Montana Highway Patrol is reporting numerous crashes in the Great Falls area.