Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Montana, February 6 to 8, 2008

Name: Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Montana, February 6 to 8, 2008
Start: 2008-02-06T14:00
End: 2008-02-08T05:00
Location: Montana

February 6 to 8, 2008 · NWS MSO · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

On February 6-8, a persistant winter storm moved east across Western Montana and produced heavy snowfall and gusty winds in many locations.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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.

On February 6-8, a persistant winter storm moved east across Western Montana and produced heavy snowfall and gusty winds in many locations.

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 Feb 6, 10:15 AM MST, 3 hours 45 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 6, 10:15 AM MST, 3 hours 45 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
1015 AM MST WED FEB 6 2008

...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT MOUNTAINS TONIGHT AND THURSDAY...

.DISCUSSION...CURRENT FORECAST APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK. WILL BE
ISSUING AN UPDATE TO THE ZONE FORECAST TO CANCEL THE CURRENT
WARNINGS THAT ARE IN EFFECT AS WELL AS TO UPGRADE ALL WATCHES TO
WARNINGS FOR THE NEXT EVENT THAT IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.
IN ADDITION...WILL BE ISSUING A HIGH WIND WATCH FOR THE I-90
CORRIDOR BETWEEN DEER LODGE AND ANACONDA FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
MORNING.

THIS NEXT EVENT DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE A SUBSTANTIAL SNOW EVENT FOR
THE MOUNTAINS...ESPECIALLY LOOKOUT PASS. SOME LOCATIONS CAN EXPECT
BETWEEN ONE AND ONE HALF TO TWO AND ONE HALF FEET OF NEW SNOWFALL
ACCUMULATIONS THIS TIME AROUND. ELK RIVER...A RECENTLY DECLARED
DISASTER AREA...CAN EXPECT UP TO 2 MORE FEET OF SNOW FROM THIS
NEXT EVENT.

&&

.AVIATION...PLEASE SEE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 332 AM MST WED FEB 6 2008/

DISCUSSION...A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH NORTHWEST MONTANA
BROUGHT SOME QUICK BURSTS OF SNOW AND SOME GUSTY WINDS OVERNIGHT.
THE AIRMASS BEHIND THIS FRONT IS RATHER UNSTABLE AND WHEN COMBINED
WITH SOME UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT SHOULD PROVIDE SNOW SHOWERS THROUGH
THE MORNING. SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED
THIS MORNING OVER THE BITTERROOT AND CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS...AND
WINTER WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BE IN EFFECT. DIVERGENCE IN
THE LEFT EXIT REGION OF AN UPPER LEVEL JET STREAK IS LEADING TO
CLOUDS AND LIGHT SNOW OVER EXTREME NORTHWEST MONTANA THIS MORNING.
THIS AREA OF SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK EAST AFFECTING ALL OF
NORTHWEST MONTANA THROUGH THE MORNING. AS THE ATMOSPHERE
STABILIZES THIS AFTERNOON SNOW SHOWERS BECOME LESS LIKELY. THE
FLATHEAD/MISSION AND MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS SAW DOWN SLOPING
WINDS OVERNIGHT THAT MANAGED TO BREAK UP CLOUD COVER AND THIS WILL
BE POSSIBLE AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH THIS MORNING AS THE SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENT REMAINS
RATHER TIGHT. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE SOME BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW OVER PARTS OF CENTRAL IDAHO AND WESTERN MONTANA.

THE NEXT WINTER WEATHER STORM LOOKS TO IMPACT THE REGION EARLY
THURSDAY INTO THE WEEKEND. STRONG WINDS LOOK TO ACCOMPANY THE
SNOWFALL WITH THIS SYSTEM...AND MANY HIGHLIGHT PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN
ISSUED. PLEASE SEE GTFWSWMSO AND GTFNPWMSO FOR MORE DETAILS.
MODELS ARE NOW PROJECTING SOME ARCTIC AIR TO SEEP INTO WESTERN
MONTANA FRIDAY NIGHT...BRINGING COLDER TEMPERATURES TO
ESSEX...KALISPELL AND WEST GLACIER. ADJUSTED THE FORECAST FOR
THIS...AND WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR MOST CURRENT MODEL SOLUTIONS
REGARDING THE ARCTIC AIR.

ENERGETIC WESTERLY UPPER LEVEL FLOW WILL CONTINUE INTO EARLY NEXT
WEEK...BRINGING MAINLY MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS AND NEAR TO SLIGHTLY
ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES TO THE NORTHERN ROCKIES.

AVIATION...SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO REDUCE CEILINGS AND
VISIBILITIES THIS MORNING. AS THE ATMOSPHERE STABILIZES THE
CHANCE OF SNOW IS REDUCED THIS AFTERNOON. SOME DOWN SLOPING WINDS
MAY ALLOW CLOUDS TO BREAK UP A LITTLE IN THE WIDER NORTH/SOUTH
VALLEYS.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM MST
     THURSDAY FOR WEST GLACIER REGION.

     HEAVY SNOW WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 8 PM MST THURSDAY
     FOR KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY
     FOR BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM MST
     THURSDAY FOR POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION.

     HIGH WIND WATCH FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR
     BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY
     FOR LOWER CLARK FORK REGION.

ID...HIGH WIND WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM PST THURSDAY
     FOR LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION.

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

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

     SNOW ADVISORY FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY FOR
     WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY
     FOR EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY.

&&

UPDATE...HENRY
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...ML/STEGEMILLER

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 6, 4:34 AM MST, 9 hours 26 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
434 AM MST WED FEB 6 2008

IDZ005>007-MTZ001-002-004-006-043-070000-
NORTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-SOUTHERN CLEARWATER MOUNTAINS-
OROFINO/GRANGEVILLE REGION-KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION-
WEST GLACIER REGION-LOWER CLARK FORK REGION-
BITTERROOT/SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS-POTOMAC/SEELEY LAKE REGION-
434 AM MST WED FEB 6 2008 /334 AM PST WED FEB 6 2008/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO...NORTHWEST MONTANA AND WEST CENTRAL MONTANA.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON WATCHES...WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES...GO
TO WEATHER.GOV/MISSOULA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SNOW AND LOCAL GUSTY WINDS WILL WEAKEN BY LATE MORNING AS COLD
FRONT MOVES EAST OUT OF THE REGION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER SERIES OF POWERFUL WEATHER SYSTEMS WILL IMPACT THE AREA
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND AGAIN FRIDAY. STRONG WINDS AND
HEAVY SNOWFALL ARE POSSIBLE DURING THIS TIME FRAME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

IDZ008>010-MTZ003-005-007-070000-
LOWER HELLS CANYON/SALMON RIVER REGION-WESTERN LEMHI COUNTY-
EASTERN LEMHI COUNTY-FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS-
MISSOULA/BITTERROOT VALLEYS-BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION-
434 AM MST WED FEB 6 2008 /334 AM PST WED FEB 6 2008/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
IDAHO...NORTHWEST MONTANA AND WEST CENTRAL MONTANA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SNOW AND LOCAL GUSTY WINDS WILL WEAKEN BY LATE MORNING AS COLD
FRONT MOVES EAST OUT OF THE REGION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ANOTHER SERIES OF POWERFUL WEATHER SYSTEMS WILL IMPACT THE AREA
WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND AGAIN FRIDAY. STRONG WINDS AND
HEAVY SNOWFALL ARE POSSIBLE DURING THIS TIME FRAME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 winter storm, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Lower Clark Fork Region

When: February 6, 2:00 PM MST to February 8, 5:00 AM 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)

Severe weather spotters and automated weather stations reported between 6 and 10.5 inches of new snowfall accumulations along the Interstate 90 corridor between Saint Regis and Lookout Pass. In addition, wind gusts in the valleys and at Lookout Pass ranged between 21 mph and 31 mph.

Winter Storm, Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains

When: February 6, 7:00 PM MST to February 8, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.508, -113.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lolo Pass received 6 to 7 inches of new snowfall accumulations in a 12 hour period. Lost Trail Pass received 10 to 12 inches of new snowfall accumulations during the entire event. In addition, gusty winds between 23 and 37 mph were observed throughout the mountains during the event.

Winter Storm, Flathead/Mission Valleys

When: February 7, 1:00 AM MST to 3:00 PM MST
Where: Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Whitefish received 8 inches and Bigfork received 6 inches of new snowfall accumulations. In addition, winds across the Flathead and Mission valleys gusted between 21 mph and 31 mph throughout the day.

Heavy Snow, Kootenai/Cabinet Region

When: February 7, 2:00 AM MST to 8:00 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)

The Montana Highway 56 corridor between Bull Lake and Troy received 6 to 8 inches of new snowfall accumulations. Yaak received 8 inches of new snowfall accumulations.

Winter Storm, West Glacier Region

When: February 7, 3:00 AM MST to 11:00 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)

West Glacier received 7.5 inches, Marias Pass received 7 inches, and Swan Lake received 6 inches of new snowfall accumulations from this event. In addition, gusty winds to 35 mph were observed along the US Highway 12 corridor between Essex and Marias Pass.

Winter Storm, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: February 7, 5:00 AM MST to 3:00 PM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe weather spotters reported between 9 and 11 inches of new snowfall accumulations in the areas surrounding Hamilton. In addition, wind gusts between 22 mph and 32 mph were observed across the Bitterroot Valley.

Winter Storm, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: February 7, 5:00 AM MST to 11:00 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)

Severe weather spotters 8 miles west of Clearwater Junction on Highway 200 and 10 miles east of Seeley Lake reported between 6 and 10 inches of new snow. In addition, blowing and drifting snow was reported. The automated weather station at Pistol Creek reported wind gusts to 27 mph.

Winter Storm, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: February 7, 9:44 AM MST to February 8, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Frequent wind gusts between 40 mph and 50 mph caused significant blowing and drifting snow along US Highway 12 between Garrison and McDonald Pass and also along Montana Highway 200 between Ovando and Lincoln. Whiteout conditions were observed on webcams at Avon and McDonald Pass.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

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, February 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: 69376, 69378, 69375, 69373, 69374, 69377, 69381, 69379.