Montana, 2010Winter Storm in Montana, January 4 to 6, 2010
January 4 to 6, 2010 · NWS MSO · 4 events in 4 counties and zones
Heavy snow and gusty winds impacted portions of northwest and southwest Montana in both the valleys and mountains. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 8 inches in the valleys to over a foot in the mountains in northwest Montana.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 4
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.
Heavy snow and gusty winds impacted portions of northwest and southwest Montana in both the valleys and mountains. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 8 inches in the valleys to over a foot in the mountains in northwest Montana. Gusty north winds caused blowing and drifting of snow which created dangerous driving conditions on roadways and caused local schools to close in Flathead County. Power outages were also reported in Flathead County.
Winter Storm, Flathead/Mission Valleys
- When
- January 4, 7:00 AM MST to January 5, 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Heavy snow and strong gusty north winds impacted Flathead County, where schools were closed in Whitefish, Big Fork and Swan Valley. Local whiteout conditions occurred during the evening in the northern Flathead Valley where wind gusts up to 45 mph were recorded at Glacier International Airport on 1/5/2010. Power outages were reported throughout the county from downed power lines. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 6 to 11 inches.
Winter Storm, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region
- When
- January 4, 9:00 AM MST to January 5, 8:00 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)
Heavy snow and local gusty north winds caused blowing and drifting of snow and poor visibility on roadways. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 6 inches near Clinton to 10 to 12 inches from 7 miles north of Seeley Lake to Condon in northern Missoula County. A weather station at Clearwater Junction recorded wind speeds of 37 mph with gusts to 44 mph at 819 PM 1/5/2010.
Winter Storm, West Glacier Region
- When
- January 4, 10:00 AM MST to January 5, 8:00 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)
Heavy snow was reported by weather observers ranging from 8 to 11 inches in the valleys. Big Mountain Ski Resort received 13 inches of new snow in a 24 hour period.
Winter Storm, Butte / Blackfoot Region
- When
- January 5, 8:00 PM MST to January 6, 6:00 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)
Montana Department of Transportation declared severe driving conditions on I-90 Deer Lodge to Phosphate, I-90 Deer Lodge to Warm Springs, and US 12 Garrison to Avon due to very strong winds and blowing snow. Chains were required on McDonald Pass from blowing and drifting of snow. Wind speeds at Garrison weather station were recorded at 27 mph with gusts to 35 mph at 716 PM. Wind speeds at Helmville MT-200 weather station were recorded at 33 mph gusting to 43 mph at 756 PM.
- Winter Storm
- A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
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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: 212542, 212544, 212541, 212545.