Blizzard and Winter Storm in Montana, December 12 to 13, 2008

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Montana, December 12 to 13, 2008
Start: 2008-12-12T15:00
End: 2008-12-13T15:01
Location: Montana

December 12 to 13, 2008 · NWS MSO · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $200,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MSO wrote it up.

A strong arctic front pushed through western Montana, bringing a quick burst of snow, strong winds, and reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting snow. Snowfall accumulations ranged from 6 to 12 inches in most valleys, with up to 15 inches over higher terrain. Blizzard conditions were reported in the West Glacier Region and the northern Flathead Valley as wind gusts up to 45 mph were reported. The Montana|DOT reported severe driving conditions on area roads near the Continental Divide.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 12, 2:56 PM MST, 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 12, 2:56 PM MST, 4 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
256 PM MST FRI DEC 12 2008

..MAJOR WINTER STORM AND DANGEROUS WINTRY CONDITIONS THIS
WEEKEND...

.DISCUSSION...A MAJOR WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT WESTERN
MONTANA AND NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY.

FIRST...ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS WILL BE THE EXTREME COLD AND
VERY LOW WIND CHILLS. THE MODELS ARE STILL IN AGREEMENT ON
SHOWING THE BITTER COLD ARCTIC AIR FLOODING INTO NORTHWEST MONTANA
LATE TONIGHT AND THEN SOUTHWARD ACROSS THE REST OF WESTERN MONTANA
SATURDAY. THE INTENSITY OF THE COLD AIR INTRUSION WILL SUPPORT STRONG
WINDS IN MANY AREAS TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY. FRIGID TEMPERATURES
AND STRONG WINDS WILL CAUSE WIND CHILLS PLUMMETING INTO THE 15 TO
35 BELOW ZERO RANGE BY SATURDAY NIGHT. THE ARCTIC AIRMASS IS
EXPECTED TO BECOME DEEP ENOUGH TO CREST THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS
AND FLOOD INTO PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO BY SATURDAY NIGHT
INTO SUNDAY. THE INTENSITY AND DURATION OF THE BITTER COLD ARCTIC
AIR IN COMBINATION WITH THE WIND CAN AND WILL CREATE DANGEROUS
WINTRY CONDITIONS THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SECOND...DISCUSSION OF SNOW AND POTENTIAL BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

PRECIPITATION WILL SPREAD INTO NORTHWEST MONTANA AND NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO THROUGH THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON THEN SPREAD SOUTH THIS EVENING
AND OVERNIGHT WITH THE INCOMING PACIFIC SYSTEM. EXPECT MODERATE TO
HEAVY GOOD SNOW ACROSS NORTHWEST MONTANA THROUGH THIS PERIOD. FARTHER
SOUTH...VALLEY PRECIPITATION WILL START AS A RAIN/SNOW MIX...THEN
CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT AS A COLD FRONT PASSES.
ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY SNOW WILL ACCOMPANY THE ARCTIC FRONT AS IT
PUSHES THROUGH WESTERN MONTANA SATURDAY MORNING. LIGHT SNOW WILL
LINGER BEHIND THE FRONT...BUT ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE DRAMATICALLY
DECREASED. HOWEVER...STRONG WINDS COMBINED WITH LIGHT FALLING SNOW
AND SNOW ALREADY ON THE GROUND WILL CREATE LOCAL BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. THE ARCTIC FRONT WILL TAKE
A BIT MORE TIME TO MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO...BUT
IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. AGAIN A BURST OF
MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL ACCOMPANY THE ARCTIC FRONT...THEN
STEADY SNOW WILL CONTINUE BEHIND THE FRONT AS UPPER LEVEL
SOUTHWEST FLOW WILL MAINTAIN THE MOISTURE FEED OVER THIS REGION
THROUGH SUNDAY. AGAIN...STRONG NORTH WINDS...FALLING TEMPERATURES
AND SNOW ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE TRAVEL EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ACROSS
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. LOCAL BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE OVER GRANGEVILLE...THE WHITE BIRD AND
GREER GRADES. THE ARCTIC AIR MASS NOW LOOKS LIKE IT WILL HAVE A
TOUGH TIME MAKING IT FULL FORCE INTO LEMHI COUNTY.

THIRD...TEMPERATURES INTO NEXT WEEK.

THE ARCTIC AIRMASS WILL BE WELL ENTRENCHED IN THE VALLEYS OF
WESTERN MONTANA AND PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO NEXT WEEK. A
WEAK RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVER THE REGION
MONDAY INTO TUESDAY ALLOWING STRONG VALLEY INVERSIONS TO STRENGTH.
THE LOWEST TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR MONDAY NIGHT INTO
TUESDAY MORNING WITH PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST MONTANA POTENTIALLY SEEING
READINGS 20 TO 40 BELOW ZERO TUESDAY MORNING. THESE EXTREMELY COLD
TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN OVER THE REGION UNTIL THURSDAY WHEN A
WEAK DISTURBANCE COULD HELP SCOUR OUT SOME OF THE COLD AIR.

&&

.AVIATION...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION THIS
EVENING WITH AN ARCTIC COLD FRONT TO FOLLOW EARLY SATURDAY. AS A
RESULT THE WEATHER WILL PROVIDE MAJOR ISSUES TO AVIATION INTERESTS
IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MONTANA. KGPI WILL EXPERIENCE
GRADUALLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE EVENING WITH
SNOWFALL BECOMING HEAVIER OVERNIGHT. STRONG EASTERLY WINDS WILL
COMBINE WITH FALLING SNOW TO CREATE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AT KGPI
BEGINNING LATE FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUING THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON. AT KMSO SNOW WILL BEGIN TO FALL AFTER 06Z. EASTERLY
WINDS WILL BE INCREASING THROUGHOUT THE DAY PRODUCING BLOWING SNOW
AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. WINDS WILL BECOME QUITE GUSTY DURING THE
AFTERNOON AS COLD ARCTIC AIR MOVES INTO THE VALLEY. KBTM WILL SEE
SNOW BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER 06Z AND CONTINUING THROUGH UNTIL
SATURDAY EVENING. REDUCED VISIBILITY IN SNOW AND OCCASIONALLY
BLOWING SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED. CONDITIONS AT KSMN ARE EXPECTED TO
DECREASE AFTER 06Z THIS EVENING AS SNOW MOVES INTO THE REGION.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST SUNDAY
     FOR BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
     POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST
     SUNDAY FOR MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 PM MST
     SATURDAY FOR KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-LOWER CLARK FORK
     REGION.

     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM MST SATURDAY
     FOR FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS.

     BLIZZARD WARNING FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM MST SATURDAY
     FOR WEST GLACIER REGION.

ID...WINTER STORM WATCH FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT
     FOR EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY.

     WINTER STORM WATCH FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
     FOR LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-
     OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION.

     WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR LOWER HELLS
     CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PST
     SUNDAY FOR NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 AM PST
     SUNDAY FOR SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS.

&&

WHITMORE/SMITH/DICKERSON

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 winter storm, 2 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Kootenai/Cabinet Region

When: December 12, 3:00 PM MST to December 13, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.171, -114.863 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amounts between 6 to 12 inches were reported in the valleys, with up to 15 inches falling over the higher terrain. Additionally, local northeast sustained winds of 20 mph with gusts up to 33 mph were recorded. Reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting snow was reported on areas roads.

Winter Storm, Lower Clark Fork Region

When: December 12, 3:00 PM MST to December 13, 3:01 PM MST
Where: Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.286, -114.685 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall accumulations between 9 and 15 inches were reported. Sustained northeast winds up to 18 mph with gusts up to 30 mph caused blowing and drifting snow, lowering visibility on local roads.

Blizzard, West Glacier Region

When: December 12, 3:30 PM MST to December 13, 3:00 PM MST
Where: West Glacier Region forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.971, -114.069 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall amounts between 5 and 8 inches were reported. In addition, winds from the northeast sustained up to 20 mph, gusting up to 45 mph, lowered visibility to near zero periodically. The DOT reported severe driving conditions along US Highway 2 over Marias Pass due to snow and blowing snow reducing visibility.

Blizzard, Flathead/Mission Valleys

When: December 12, 4:00 PM MST to December 13, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall was difficult to measure due to the blowing and drifting nature, but estimates were anywhere from 3 to 7 inches. The main impact came from strong east to northeast winds measured at sustained 20 mph gusting up to 40 mph. Visibility down to near zero was reported in many locations due to the blowing snow. Many area roads were closed, including Highway 35 between Polson and the junction with S-206 where many trees were blown down onto the road from strong winds. One person was killed on this road when a tree blew onto his vehicle. Two other vehicles were also damaged from falling trees.

Winter Storm, Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains

When: December 12, 5:00 PM MST to December 13, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 46.508, -113.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Eight to twelve inches of snow was reported with north winds sustained at 20 mph gusting up to 35 mph. Lolo and Lost Trail Passes had reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: December 12, 6:00 PM MST to December 13, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow accumulations between 7 and 10 inches was reported by local storm spotters. Winds were sustained up to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The DOT reported low visibility along Highway 83 between Clearwater Junction and Condon due to blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: December 13, 2:00 AM MST to 3:00 PM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall accumulations between 6 and 8 inches were measured by storm spotters. Automated observing stations reporting north winds sustained at 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Severe driving conditions were reported by the DOT along Interstate 15 between Glen and Butte.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Blizzard, Flathead/Mission Valleys	2008-12-13	24	Male	Under Tree	Direct

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, December 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 142538, 142548, 142541, 142546, 142550, 142553, 142551.