Montana, 2014

Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Montana, February 24 to 25, 2014

February 24 to 25, 2014 · NWS MSO · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

Many locations across west-central Montana were still trying to dig out from the snowfall that occurred over the previous few days. Before this storm started, deep ruts existed on secondary roads in the Missoula area and with the additional heavy snowfall, the impact became fairly high resulting in difficult travel.

Where it happened

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.

  • 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
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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MSO wrote it up.

Many locations across west-central Montana were still trying to dig out from the snowfall that occurred over the previous few days. Before this storm started, deep ruts existed on secondary roads in the Missoula area and with the additional heavy snowfall, the impact became fairly high resulting in difficult travel. Strong ascent of warm moist air moving over the arctic air in place combined with weak winds in the low levels of the atmosphere allowed for the best snow crystal growth (large dendrites) and therefore heavy snowfall.

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 24, 2:29 PM MST, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 2:29 PM MST, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
229 PM MST Mon Feb 24 2014

.DISCUSSION...Another significant surge of moisture will shift
across north central Idaho...especially from Orofino and Camas
Prairie to Lolo Pass...and also west central Montana...from
Missoula to Hamilton, Butte and Anaconda through tonight. Enough
cold air has shifted over the Orofino and Grangeville areas to
support a period of wet-heavy snow through about midnight. Colder
air is lodged over western Montana and will create conditions for
lighter density snow...but still moderate snow rates. Further
north over northwest Montana, partial clearing may develop by
morning. This one last wave of moisture/energy tonight will also
pull another surge of arctic air westward into western Montana
later tonight and Tuesday morning. This will translate into more
drifting snow and very low wind chills Tuesday morning. The
windiest areas should be Columbia Falls to Kalispell and from
about Missoula to Clearwater Junction and Garrison Junction.
Overall, the conditions (areas of snow, low wind chills and
drifting snow) should create a significant impact to the region
and thus various winter weather advisories have been issued.

High pressure and clearing skies are expected Tuesday night. With
lots of snow across the region, this will translate into a FRIGID
night with sub zero temperatures through many valleys of western
Montana. There is also enough low level moisture persisting that
areas of freezing fog may develop late Tuesday night into
Wednesday morning.

Forecast models are starting to show signs towards a common
solution that would bring yet another strong and bitterly cold
arctic blast down from Canada late this week. The details
regarding how cold it may get and how much snow we could see are
still very much in question. But models do show the potential for
an air mass rivaling that which affected us at the beginning of
February. Along with these very cold temperatures could come the
chance for additional snow and wind which may produce blowing
and drifting snow as well as extreme wind chill readings. The
potential for impacts to people, pets and livestock as well as
travel throughout much of the Northern Rockies could be quite
significant starting Thursday and continuing into next week.

&&

.AVIATION...A widespread area of snow, lower ceilings and
visibilities is expected tonight from Orofino and Grangeville
eastward across Missoula and Hamilton to the continental divide
around Butte. The terminals that will be most impacted are KMSO,
KBTM. Although, KSMN should also see some light precipitation and
lowering ceilings as well late tonight and Tuesday morning.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday Butte/Blackfoot
     Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday Lower Clark Fork
     Region.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY from 8 PM this evening to 8 AM MST Tuesday
     Flathead/Mission Valleys...West Glacier Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday Potomac/Seeley
     Lake Region.

ID...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 8 AM MST Tuesday Eastern Lemhi
     County...Western Lemhi County.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 7 AM PST Tuesday Lower Hells
     Canyon/Salmon River Region...Orofino/Grangeville Region.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY until 7 AM PST Tuesday Northern
     Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater Mountains.

&&

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 24, 1:00 PM MST, 3 hours before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
100 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             3 S WHITE PINE          47.69N 115.48W
02/24/2014  M10.0 INCH       SANDERS            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 9 NW THOMPSON FALLS /5994S/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0900 AM     SNOW             4 ESE FLORENCE          46.61N 114.01W
02/24/2014  M10.0 INCH       RAVALLI            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 ESE FLORENCE /5909C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NNW EVARO             47.04N 114.10W
02/24/2014  M9.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 1 NNW EVARO /5745C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             4 ESE PABLO             47.57N 114.04W
02/24/2014  M7.3 INCH        LAKE               MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 ESE PABLO /1462O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             4 E CORVALLIS           46.32N 114.03W
02/24/2014  M6.5 INCH        RAVALLI            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 E CORVALLIS /7167C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             5 NNW MISSOULA          46.94N 114.02W
02/24/2014  M6.3 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 5 NNW MISSOULA /5994C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0830 AM     SNOW             3 SW OVANDO             46.99N 113.17W
02/24/2014  M6.0 INCH        POWELL             MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 3 WSW OVANDO /8866O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0830 AM     SNOW             10 SSE OROGRANDE        45.57N 115.45W
02/24/2014  M5.8 INCH        IDAHO              ID   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION DIXIE NORTH /DXEI1/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NNW HAMILTON          46.26N 114.16W
02/24/2014  M5.5 INCH        RAVALLI            MT   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION HAMILTON /HAMM8/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM
Local storm report, Feb 24, 1:04 PM MST, 2 hours 56 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
104 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1201 PM     HEAVY SNOW       2 N EVARO               47.06N 114.10W
02/24/2014  M10.6 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 2.7 MI NNE OF EVARO

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM
Local storm report, Feb 24, 1:50 PM MST, 2 hours 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
150 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1201 PM     HEAVY SNOW       2 N EVARO               47.06N 114.10W
02/24/2014  M10.6 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 2.7 MI NNE OF EVARO

0900 AM     SNOW             4 ESE FLORENCE          46.61N 114.01W
02/24/2014  M10.0 INCH       RAVALLI            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 ESE FLORENCE /5909C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0846 AM     HEAVY SNOW       1 S CONDON              47.51N 113.71W
02/24/2014  M16.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 1.5 MI S OF CONDON

0830 AM     HEAVY SNOW       7 NNE FINLEY POINT      47.84N 114.03W
02/24/2014  M7.0 INCH        LAKE               MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

0830 AM     SNOW             3 SW OVANDO             46.99N 113.17W
02/24/2014  M6.0 INCH        POWELL             MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 3 WSW OVANDO /8866O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0830 AM     SNOW             10 SSE OROGRANDE        45.57N 115.45W
02/24/2014  M5.8 INCH        IDAHO              ID   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION DIXIE NORTH /DXEI1/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0820 AM     HEAVY SNOW       4 NW NOXON              48.04N 115.84W
02/24/2014  M3.7 INCH        SANDERS            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 4 MI NW OF NOXON

0730 AM     HEAVY SNOW       2 N NINEMILE            47.05N 114.41W
02/24/2014  E8.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   NWS EMPLOYEE

            STORM TOTAL

0730 AM     SNOW             4 NW NOXON              48.03N 115.85W
02/24/2014  M3.7 INCH        SANDERS            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 WNW NOXON /5126C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0721 AM     HEAVY SNOW       3 SSW GREENOUGH         46.88N 113.46W
02/24/2014  E12.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            6" SINCE 5PM, STORM TOTAL 12"

0700 AM     SNOW             3 S WHITE PINE          47.69N 115.48W
02/24/2014  M10.0 INCH       SANDERS            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 9 NW THOMPSON FALLS /5994S/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             4 E CORVALLIS           46.32N 114.03W
02/24/2014  M6.5 INCH        RAVALLI            MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 E CORVALLIS /7167C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             4 ESE PABLO             47.57N 114.04W
02/24/2014  M7.3 INCH        LAKE               MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 ESE PABLO /1462O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 SE MARION             48.10N 114.64W
02/24/2014  M4.5 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 1 ESE MARION /0068H/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NNW HAMILTON          46.26N 114.16W
02/24/2014  M5.5 INCH        RAVALLI            MT   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION HAMILTON /HAMM8/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     HEAVY SNOW       GREENOUGH               46.92N 113.44W
02/24/2014  M14.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             3 WNW WEST VALLEY       46.17N 113.09W
02/24/2014  M3.5 INCH        DEER LODGE         MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 6 WNW ANACONDA /4949O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NNW EVARO             47.04N 114.10W
02/24/2014  M9.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 1 NNW EVARO /5745C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             5 NNW MISSOULA          46.94N 114.02W
02/24/2014  M6.3 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 5 NNW MISSOULA /5994C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0650 AM     HEAVY SNOW       2 NNW HUSON             47.06N 114.34W
02/24/2014  E7.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   NWS EMPLOYEE

0649 AM     HEAVY SNOW       2 SSE SEELEY LAKE       47.15N 113.47W
02/24/2014  M16.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            8.5 INCHES SINCE 9PM, 16 INCHES STORM TOTAL

0640 AM     SNOW             3 ENE BIGFORK           48.07N 114.01W
02/24/2014  M3.5 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 3 E BIGFORK /0071H/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0613 AM     SNOW             4 WNW WEST VALLEY       46.17N 113.10W
02/24/2014  U3.5 INCH        DEER LODGE         MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION 7.4
            NW OF ANACONDA

0600 AM     SNOW             2 ENE EAST MISSOULA     46.88N 113.90W
02/24/2014  M5.5 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 2 ENE EAST MISSOULA /2041R/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0600 AM     SNOW             5 N CRESTON             48.26N 114.16W
02/24/2014  M3.5 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 5 NNW CRESTON /3666S/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0515 AM     SNOW             5 W MISSOULA            46.86N 114.10W
02/24/2014  M5.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 5 W MISSOULA /6642C/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

1125 PM     SNOW             SEELEY LAKE             47.18N 113.48W
02/23/2014  E10.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

1123 PM     SNOW             EVARO                   47.03N 114.09W
02/23/2014  E8.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

1116 PM     SNOW             FRENCHTOWN              47.02N 114.23W
02/23/2014  M7.3 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0900 PM     SNOW             BONNER                  46.87N 113.86W
02/23/2014  M3.4 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION BONNER /7872B/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0855 PM     SNOW             2 SSE SEELEY LAKE       47.15N 113.47W
02/23/2014  E7.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            3 INCHES OF SNOW SINCE 6PM MST SNOW DURATION
            5 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION 2 MI S OF SEELEY
            LAKE

0822 PM     SNOW             1 N KALISPELL           48.21N 114.31W
02/23/2014  E2.5 INCH        FLATHEAD           MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 12 HOURS

0637 PM     HEAVY SNOW       FLORENCE                46.63N 114.08W
02/23/2014  E10.0 INCH       RAVALLI            MT   NWS EMPLOYEE

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 12 HOURS

0457 PM     SNOW             GREENOUGH               46.92N 113.44W
02/23/2014  E5.0 INCH        MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 12 HOURS

&&

IRIS SYSTEM
Local storm report, Feb 24, 2:06 PM MST, 1 hour 54 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
206 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0206 PM     HEAVY SNOW       4 WSW LOLO              46.74N 114.15W
02/24/2014  E12.0 INCH       MISSOULA           MT   PUBLIC

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 30 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 4 MI WSW OF LOLO

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM
Local storm report, Feb 24, 2:17 PM MST, 1 hour 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
217 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0216 PM     HEAVY SNOW       11 WNW PORTERS CORNER   46.33N 113.54W
02/24/2014  M4.0 INCH        GRANITE            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 30 HOURS

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM
Local storm report, Feb 24, 2:18 PM MST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
218 PM MST MON FEB 24 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0217 PM     HEAVY SNOW       5 ENE SULA              45.86N 113.88W
02/24/2014  M10.0 INCH       RAVALLI            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HEAVY SNOW DURATION 36 HOURS OBSERVER
            LOCATION 5.1 MI ENE OF SULA

&&

NWS MISSOULA MT
IRIS SYSTEM

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 heavy snow, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Lower Clark Fork Region

When
February 24, 4:00 PM MST to February 25, 12:00 AM MST
Where
Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
47.286, -114.685 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Montana DOT reported heavy snowfall with snow-covered roads during the evening hours of Feb. 24. They also required chains for towing units on Interstate 90 from St. Regis to Lookout Pass. It is a rare occasion for chains to be required from St. Regis to Saltese. A weather spotter 9 miles northeast of Thompson Falls measured 4 in 3 hours from 6 pm to 9:08 pm MST. Similarly, a weather spotter located at Evaro Hill measured 4 during that same time-frame.

Winter Weather, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When
February 24, 4:00 PM MST to February 25, 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)

Montana DOT reported snowfall along I-90 from Drummond to Homestake Pass and MT-1 through Georgetown Lake through this period. They also reported snow along US-12 over MacDonald Pass where chains were required for towing vehicles during the early morning hours of Feb. 25. There were no reports of heavy snow in these areas, and it seemed that the snow was more steady and moderate impact was felt.

Heavy Snow, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When
February 24, 6:00 PM MST to February 25, 12:00 AM MST
Where
Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Missoula International Airport received 5.5 of snow in 5 hours, but received a total of 6.8 from this particular storm event with 0.29 of precipitation. The heavy snow fell during the later part of rush hour traffic and the secondary roads became congested with many vehicles being stuck in deep ruts. The main roads were being plowed, but the melted snow from earlier had frozen into a sheet of ice exacerbating road conditions. Many school systems in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys had delays on the morning of Feb. 26.

Heavy Snow, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When
February 24, 6:00 PM MST to February 25, 5:00 AM MST
Where
Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Montana DOT reported heavy snowfall that affected I-90 and MT-200 from Bonner to Greenough Hill to Helmville. They also reported periods of blowing and drifting snow from Greenough Hill to west of the Helmville Junction. A CoCoRaHS spotter in Bonner measured 1.5 of snow in the 65 minutes ending 10:30 pm MST on Feb. 24. Potomac schools had a 2 hour delay on Feb. 25.

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, February 2014

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 504934, 504937, 504933, 504935.