For the last week National Park Service officials have said the biggest weapon in facing down the Arnica Fire would be an assist from the weather. Today, as snow blankets Yellowstone National Park, their prediction is apparently coming true.

The predicted snow has arrived in Yellowstone National Park, and it's coming down harder than expected, especially at the north end of the Park, where the Grand Loop Road between Tower and Canyon -- the Dunraven Pass -- is closed because of the heavy snow. In addition, the Canyon area has been socked in by snow to the point where officials are recommending the use of snow tires.

Meanwhile, we're waiting to hear how the snow and rain is affecting the Arnica Fire -- but given the general precipitation forecast for the area (snow and rain and lots of it), we expect it's just a matter of time before the Arnica Fire starts to shrink down and the Grand Loop Road between Fishing Bridge and West Thumb is reopened. As of this morning, however, it remains closed.

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