Avalanche in Montana, January 19 to 20, 2015

Name: Avalanche in Montana, January 19 to 20, 2015
Start: 2015-01-19T00:00
End: 2015-01-20T00:00
Location: Montana

January 19 to 20, 2015 · NWS TFX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Multiple skier triggered avalanches were reported in Southwest Montana.

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

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 TFX wrote it up.

Multiple skier triggered avalanches were reported in Southwest Montana.

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 Great Falls, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 18, 10:45 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 18, 10:45 PM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1045 PM MST Sun Jan 18 2015

UPDATE TO AVIATION

.UPDATE...
Winds have tended to diminish with the exception of the Rocky
Mountain Front where winds in some areas have increased. Will
continue the high wind warning for this area and also farther east
over the U.S. route 2 area where a few locations are still
reporting strong winds. Based on road reports will add blowing
snow to portions of the Rocky Mountain Front. Will also continue
the high wind warning for Fergus and Blaine Counties. For these
two counties guidance suggest winds aloft will continue quite
strong the rest of tonight. Although do not have high confidence
winds will reach high wind criteria (40 mph sustained winds and/or
wind gusts to 58 mph) at the surface..do not have high enough
confidence that they will not reach the criteria to drop the high
wind warning so will continue the high wind warning the rest of
tonight. Elsewhere will cancel the high wind warning. Have
adjusted wind forecasts to trends mentioned above. As for other
changes lowered sky cover over most of the lower elevations for
the rest of this evening and in some areas also after midnight.
Based on satellite imagery dropped the mention of snow showers for
northern portions of southwest of Montana for the rest of this
evening. Blank

&&

.AVIATION...
UPDATED 0545Z.
VFR conditions will mostly continue across north central, central,
and southwest Montana through Monday evening. A disturbance in the
westerly flow aloft will exit the area after 08Z, allowing the gusty
winds to decrease somewhat. However, moisture in the flow will bring
scattered clouds to the area overnight into Monday morning, along
with a chance of showers to the KHVR area. However, showers along
the Rocky Mountain Front will obscure mountains there. Another
disturbance in the flow will cause winds to become gusty again
during the day on Monday. It will also bring increasing mid level
cloudiness to the area through the remainder of the period, along
with a chance for showers and mountain obscuration to the mountain
areas of western and southwest Montana. This includes KHLN and KBZN,
where brief periods of MVFR ceilings will be possible.
Coulston

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION...
/ISSUED 445 PM MST Sun Jan 18 2015/
Tonight through Tuesday...A Pacific cold front has moved through
the region. Strong westerly winds have developed behind the cold
front...but overall the winds are not quite as strong as
previously forecasted. There is the potential that a few wind
gusts near 60 mph could develop overnight tonight at times...thus
the high wind warning will continue. Additionally...most of the
precipitation is confined to the Rocky Mountain Front and portions
of Southwest MT. Thus pops are generally limited to those regions
overnight. On Monday and Tuesday...an Alberta clipper system will
move southward...mainly thru northeast MT each day. As a
result...we will be on the western fringes of these systems...and
most of the precipitation will be confined to the Havre/Harlem
areas. There will be a few showers over the Rocky mountain front
and in the mountains of Southwest MT...but this precipitation
should be more scattered. In terms of temperatures...expect a slow
cooling trend...as colder air moves in from the north.
However...the airmass is not that cold...so temperatures will
generally cool off to more seasonal normals over the next few
days. Brusda

Tuesday Night through Sunday...Weak high pressure moves over the
region Wednesday and Thursday with some disagreement on whether or
not a weak disturbance will move through the flow. GFS and ECM
disagree from Wednesday night through Sunday. Both bring alternating
disturbances through the region at different times making the
forecast difficult to get a grasp on. Overall precipitation chances
over the plains east of the Continental Divide look light and very
uncertain at the current time. The middle of the road outcome is
scattered chances of precipitation, with best chances along the
Continental Divide and higher terrain areas. Overall temperatures
will see a little variability but remain around seasonal averages
before warming into the low 40s at many locations by the weekend.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  33  40  24  34 /  10  10  10  10
CTB  32  39  22  32 /  10  10  10  10
HLN  28  36  19  30 /  10  10  10  10
BZN  23  37  16  29 /  10  20  20  10
WEY  20  30   4  25 /  60  50  40  30
DLN  27  38  16  30 /  10  20  10  10
HVR  32  39  21  33 /  10  20  10  10
LWT  29  37  20  32 /  10  10  10  10

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
HIGH WIND WARNING until 5 AM MST Monday Blaine...Eastern
Glacier...Fergus...Liberty...Northern Rocky Mountain Front...
Southern Rocky Mountain Front...Toole.

&&

weather.gov/greatfalls
www.twitter.com/NWSGreatFalls
www.facebook.com/NWSGreatFalls

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 18, 8:57 PM MST, 3 hours 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
857 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0821 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 8 SE EAST GLACIER PARK  48.37N 113.10W
01/18/2015  M77 MPH          GLACIER            MT   MESONET

            77 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT DEEP CREEK RAWS
            SITE AT 821 PM.

&&

COULSTON

Local storm report, Jan 18, 9:03 PM MST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
903 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0815 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M85 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            85 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE AT 815 PM.
            SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERAGED 56 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR
            AS WELL.

0815 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M56 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            85 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE AT 815 PM.
            SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERAGED 56 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR
            AS WELL.

&&

COULSTON

Local storm report, Jan 18, 9:04 PM MST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
904 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0540 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 WNW BROWNING          48.60N 113.11W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          GLACIER            MT   ASOS

            58 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT STARR-BROWNING
            AIRSTRIP AT 540 PM.

&&

COULSTON

Local storm report, Jan 18, 9:07 PM MST, 2 hours 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
907 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0836 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WNW EAST HELENA       46.61N 111.96W
01/18/2015  M45 MPH          LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   ASOS

            45 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT HELENA REGIONAL
            AIRPORT AT 836 PM.

&&

COULSTON

Local storm report, Jan 18, 9:08 PM MST, 2 hours 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
908 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0700 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  4 NNE MCALLISTER        45.50N 111.70W
01/17/2015  M40 MPH          MADISON            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            SUSTAINED WINDS AVERAGED 40 MPH FROM 6 PM TO 7 PM AT
            THE NORRIS HILL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SITE

0859 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/17/2015  M60 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            60 MPH WIND GUST AT THE DOT SENSOR NEAR EAST GLACIER
            PARK.

0939 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/17/2015  M44 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            44 MPH AVERAGE SUSTAINED WINDS FROM 839 PM UNTIL 939 PM
            AT THE DOT SENSOR NEAR EAST GLACIER PARK.

0659 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 17 W PENDROY            48.06N 112.67W
01/18/2015  M60 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            60 MPH WIND GUST AT THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL
            RANCH.

0745 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M61 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            61 MPH WIND GUST AT THE DELLWO MCSCN SITE.

1004 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            58 MPH WIND GUST AT THE DOT SENSOR NEAR EAST GLACIER
            PARK.

1029 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW CUT BANK           48.61N 112.38W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          GLACIER            MT   ASOS

            SUSTAINED WINDS 41 MPH.

1029 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW CUT BANK           48.61N 112.38W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          GLACIER            MT   ASOS

            58 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT CUT BANK MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AT
            1029 AM.

1200 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 WSW SAINT MARY       48.69N 113.71W
01/18/2015  M68 MPH          GLACIER            MT   MESONET

            68 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT LOGAN PASS
            VISITORS CENTER AT NOON.

0121 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSE GEYSER            47.25N 110.48W
01/18/2015  M51 MPH          JUDITH BASIN       MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            51 MPH PEAK WIND GUST TODAY AT GEYSER MT DOT SITE AT
            121 PM.

0157 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 20 N RUDYARD            48.85N 110.60W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          HILL               MT   MESONET

0211 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  8 WNW WHITLASH          48.94N 111.43W
01/18/2015  M40 MPH          TOOLE              MT   MESONET

            40 MPH SUSTAINED WINDS FROM 111 PM UNTIL 211 PM AT
            SUNBURST.

0228 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 ESE DENTON            47.30N 109.85W
01/18/2015  M43 MPH          FERGUS             MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            43 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT MT DOT SITE EAST OF DENTON AT
            228 PM.

0345 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 8 SW WOLF CREEK         46.92N 112.19W
01/18/2015  M48 MPH          LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            48 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT SIEBEN FLAT MT DOT SITE AT 345
            PM.

0400 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 NNE MONARCH           47.14N 110.81W
01/18/2015  M57 MPH          CASCADE            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            PEAK WIND GUST OF 57 MPH AT MONARCH CANYON MT DOT SITE
            AT 4 PM.

0400 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 23 N HAVRE              48.88N 109.68W
01/18/2015  M52 MPH          HILL               MT   MESONET

            52 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT MUD LAKE MCSCN SITE AT 4 PM.

0403 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 W CHINOOK             48.59N 109.25W
01/18/2015  M55 MPH          BLAINE             MT   AWOS

            55 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT CHINOOK AWOS SITE AT 403 PM.

0420 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 15 WNW WOLF CREEK       47.09N 112.37W
01/18/2015  M51 MPH          LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            51 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT ROGERS PASS MT DOT SITE AT 420
            PM.

0449 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW PENDROY            48.07N 112.33W
01/18/2015  M68 MPH          TETON              MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            68 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT PENDROY MT DOT
            SITE AT 449 PM.

0505 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 W HAVRE               48.54N 109.76W
01/18/2015  M41 MPH          HILL               MT   ASOS

            41 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR AT HAVRE CITY-COUNTY
            AIRPORT AT 505 PM.

0519 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST SUNBURST                48.88N 111.90W
01/18/2015  M53 MPH          TOOLE              MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            53 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT 519 PM AT SUNBURST MT DOT SITE
            ON INTERSTATE 15.

0529 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  2 NW PENDROY            48.07N 112.33W
01/18/2015  E44 MPH          TETON              MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            SUSTAINED WIND AVERAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 44 MPH AT
            PENDROY MT DOT SITE FROM 429 PM UNTIL 529 PM.

0530 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST BABB                    48.86N 113.44W
01/18/2015  M76 MPH          GLACIER            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WIND GUST OF 76 MPH AT 530 PM NEAR BABB. SUSTAINED
            WINDS BETWEEN 25 TO 42 MPH CURRENTLY.

0535 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WSW CONRAD            48.17N 111.98W
01/18/2015  M43 MPH          PONDERA            MT   AWOS

            43 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT CONRAD AWOS SITE AT 535 PM.

0540 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 WNW BROWNING          48.60N 113.11W
01/18/2015  M58 MPH          GLACIER            MT   ASOS

            58 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT STARR-BROWNING
            AIRSTRIP AT 540 PM.

0630 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M75 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            75 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE
            AT 630 PM. SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERGED APPROXIMATELY 50
            MPH BETWEEN 6 PM AND 7 PM.

0630 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M50 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            75 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE
            AT 630 PM. SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERGED APPROXIMATELY 50
            MPH BETWEEN 6 PM AND 7 PM.

0645 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 ESE PENDROY           48.04N 112.20W
01/18/2015  M61 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            61 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT RICE RIDGE MCSCN SITE AT 645
            PM. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 43 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR AS
            WELL.

0645 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  5 ESE PENDROY           48.04N 112.20W
01/18/2015  M43 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            61 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT RICE RIDGE MCSCN SITE AT 645
            PM. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 43 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR AS
            WELL.

0648 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 S MARYSVILLE         46.56N 112.31W
01/18/2015  M43 MPH          LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            43 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT MCDONALD PASS MT
            DOT SITE.

0700 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 S CASCADE             47.22N 111.71W
01/18/2015  E60 MPH          CASCADE            MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED AT LEAST 60 MPH WIND GUSTS SHAKING HOUSE.

0700 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 10 S CHINOOK            48.44N 109.23W
01/18/2015  M63 MPH          BLAINE             MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            63 MPH WIND GUST AT 7 PM 10 MILES SOUTH OF CHINOOK.

0707 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/18/2015  M79 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            79 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR AT TWO MEDICINE BRIDGE MT
            DOT SITE.

0711 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/18/2015  M52 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            52 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AVERAGE FROM 611 PM UNTIL 711 PM
            AT TWO MEDICINE BRIDGE MT DOT SITE.

0722 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 N LOMA                47.95N 110.50W
01/18/2015  M43 MPH          CHOUTEAU           MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            43 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT 722 PM AT LOMA MT
            DOT SITE.

0727 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E EAST GLACIER PARK   48.45N 113.19W
01/18/2015  M83 MPH          GLACIER            MT   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            83 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT TWO MEDICINE
            BRIDGE MT DOT SITE AT 727 PM.

0749 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 WSW GREAT FALLS       47.47N 111.38W
01/18/2015  M40 MPH          CASCADE            MT   ASOS

            40 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT GREAT FALLS
            INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 749 PM.

0800 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 SSE FORESTGROVE      46.84N 108.94W
01/18/2015  M52 MPH          FERGUS             MT   MESONET

            52 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY.

0815 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M85 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            85 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE AT 815 PM.
            SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERAGED 56 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR
            AS WELL.

0815 PM     HIGH SUST WINDS  13 W BYNUM              47.98N 112.59W
01/18/2015  M56 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            85 MPH PEAK WIND GUST AT DELLWO MCSCN SITE AT 815 PM.
            SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE AVERAGED 56 MPH OVER THE LAST HOUR
            AS WELL.

0821 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 8 SE EAST GLACIER PARK  48.37N 113.10W
01/18/2015  M77 MPH          GLACIER            MT   MESONET

            77 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT DEEP CREEK RAWS
            SITE AT 821 PM.

0836 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WNW EAST HELENA       46.61N 111.96W
01/18/2015  M45 MPH          LEWIS AND CLARK    MT   ASOS

            45 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR TODAY AT HELENA REGIONAL
            AIRPORT AT 836 PM.

&&

COULSTON

Local storm report, Jan 18, 9:37 PM MST, 2 hours 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
937 PM MST SUN JAN 18 2015

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

0659 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 17 W PENDROY            48.06N 112.67W
01/18/2015  M85 MPH          TETON              MT   MESONET

            85 MPH PEAK WIND GUST SO FAR AT THEODORE ROOSEVELT
            MEMORIAL RANCH AUTOMATED SITE AT 659 PM.

&&

COULSTON

Event by event

2 avalanche. Local standard time, as filed.

Avalanche, Gallatin

When: January 19, 12:00 AM MST to January 20, 12:00 AM MST
Where: Gallatin forecast zone
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

One avalanche was reported:

1/19/2015 S. Gallatin 1 skier triggered, remote, not caught.

Avalanche, Madison

When: January 19, 12:00 AM MST to January 20, 12:00 AM MST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

One avalanche was reported:

1/19/2015 S. Madison 1 skier triggered, not caught.

What these are

Avalanche: A mass of snow sliding down a mountainside that caused a death, an injury or damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, January 2015

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: 552791, 552792.