PHOTOS: Snow Falls Over Rockies in Time for Christmas Morning

By Katy Galimberti, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 25,2014; 10:54PM,EST

 

 

 

While many areas across the country felt a milder Christmas morning, residents across parts of the Rockies and Plains woke to snow-covered ground in time for holiday celebrations.
In Missoula, Montana, they recorded 2.8 inches of snow since midnight on Dec. 25, marking the second most snow to fall on Christmas Day according to the National Weather Service.
The Montana Department of Transportation warned of snow-covered, slick roadways early Thursday morning and cautioned motorists to take extra precautions when making their holiday travel.
In Bluffdale, Utah, just south of Salt Lake City, 6 inches of snow fell for Christmas Day. The storm brought 10 inches to Bellevue in central Idaho.
More snow is expected into Friday as holiday travelers begin the journey home.
"After focusing on the Rocky Mountains through Thursday night, the system will shift over the Plains for the remainder of the week," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Brian Lada said. "The intensity of the snow is expected to decrease as the storm progresses eastward with many areas receiving only a few inches of snow."
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Jackson Hole, Wyo., had ideal conditions to create a white Christmas setting on Thursday morning. (Instagram Photo/buckparker)
Snow falling throughout Montana, Idaho and Utah left a thick coating of snow over Christmas Eve. (Instagram Photo/mandithecompanion)
Residents in Missoula, Mont., woke to a blanket of snow on Christmas morning. (Photo/NWS Missoula)
Residents in Ogden, Utah, were treated to a wintry setting in time for Christmas morning. (Instagram Photo/shericemf)
Snow greeted morning risers in Provo, Utah, on Christmas. (Instagram Photo/missemma331)
Provo, Utah, was home to white Christmas settings for many locals on Thursday. (Instagram Photo/autumngarvin)
Snow set the scene for a quiet, early morning in Draper, Utah. (Instagram Photo/kids_all_around)
While snow created messy travel for some, others took in festive setting like in this neighborhood in Utah. (Instagram Photo/fiftygee)
Parts of Montana woke to nearly 10 inches of snow on Christmas morning. (Photo/Cindee Parker)