Blizzard and Winter Storm in Montana, January 11 to 13, 2005

An arctic cold front moved into western Montana for a two day period bringing heavy snow and strong gusty winds to the region. As the front moved across the Continental Divide late on January 11 into early January 12th, blizzard conditions closed U.S. Highway 2 in the West Glacier Region. Heavy snow fell first in Mineral, Sanders, Lincoln and Flathead Counties, where 7 to 10 inches of snow was reported. Widespread wind gusts of 30 to 37 mph were reported in Flathead and Lake Counties, with a sustained wind of 44 mph gusting to 50 mph reported by the Department of Transportation weather station at Essex on U.S. Highway 2. As the arctic front pushed southward, it continued to dump heavy snow and bring strong gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph to most of western Montana. By January 13, the West Glacier Region reported up to 15 inches of new snow; the west side of Flathead County 12 inches; Lincoln County 2 to 4 inches in the valleys with 6 to 10 inches over higher terrain; the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains and just above the Missoula Valley over the south hills and Miller Creek areas, 7 to 10 inches with 12 to 21 inches in the mountains and over Lolo Pass; the Blackfoot Region 8 to 13 inches. The highest recorded snowfall in the valleys occurred in Arlee and St. Regis, where 25 inches of new snow fell, closing down schools for the day. Interstate 90 from 15 miles west of Drummond to Phosphate Junction was declared emergency travel only by the Dept. of Transportation due to heavy snow and blowing and drifting.