Winter Storm in Montana, April 15, 2016

Name: Winter Storm in Montana, April 15, 2016
Start: 2016-04-15T06:00
End: 2016-04-15T17:00
Location: Montana

April 15, 2016 · NWS TFX · 11 events in 11 counties and zones

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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.

Circulation around a deep upper low moving across central Montana during the early morning hours of Friday, 15 April 2016, brought moisture and cooler air to the area. Snow became widespread during the morning across portions of North Central Montana during the morning with moderate to heavy rain in the warmer air across the Hi-Line. Gusty upslope winds and snowfall in excess of six inches caused areas of near blizzard conditions while rainfall exceeding two inches was also reported across portions of the Hi-Line.

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 Apr 15, 4:45 AM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 4:45 AM MST, 1 hour 15 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
545 AM MDT FRI APR 15 2016

UPDATED AVIATION SECTION

...LATE-SPRING STORM UNDERWAY WITH BENEFICIAL MOISTURE AND
ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR SOME...

.DISCUSSION...

FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT...THE WELL-ADVERTISED LATE-SPRING
STORM SYSTEM IS UNDERWAY ACROSS THE REGION AT THIS TIME. AT THE
SFC...AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS MOVING OFF TO THE EAST INTO THE
DAKOTAS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME...A DEFORMATION BAND EXTENDS BACK
TO THE WEST INTO CENTRAL MONTANA. THE MAIN UPPER LEVEL LOW IS
RIGHT OVER CENTRAL MONTANA AND IS HELPING TO WRAP PLENTY OF
MOISTURE AROUND ITSELF AND INTO OUR LOCAL AREA...ESPECIALLY
NORTH-CENTRAL MONTANA.

THE STEADIEST AND HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED ALONG AND
NORTH OF A HELENA TO LEWISTOWN LINE WITH LESSER AMOUNTS TO THE
SOUTH. THE PRECIPITATION WILL BE ENHANCED BY AN UPSLOPE NE/E WIND
FROM THE ROCKY MTN FRONT DOWN THROUGH THE CENTRAL MOUNTAINS. SFC
OBS AND WEBCAMS SHOW THE RAIN HAS ALREADY CHANGED TO SNOW FROM CUT
BANK TO GREAT FALLS AND THIS CHANGEOVER WILL CONTINUE TO PROGRESS
EAST THROUGH THE DAY. THERE IS PLENTY OF MOISTURE AND LIFT THROUGH
THE SNOW-GROWTH REGION AND THIS SHOULD PROMOTE MODERATE TO
OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOWFALL RATES AT TIMES THROUGH THIS MORNING.
HOWEVER...MILD ANTECEDENT CONDITIONS AND WARMER ROAD/GROUND TEMPS
SHOULD LIMIT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS TO SOME EXTENT...ESPECIALLY AT
LOWER ELEVATIONS. THIS MAKES THE SNOWFALL/IMPACT FORECAST
DIFFICULT. FOR THE LOWER ELEVATIONS...SEVERAL INCHES MAY
FALL...BUT MOST OF THE ACCUMULATION SHOULD BE CONFINED TO GRASSY
AND ELEVATED SURFACES WITH MAINLY JUST SLUSHY ROADWAY
CONDITIONS...ALTHOUGH BRIDGES/OVERPASSES MAY BECOME A BIT MORE
SLICK. FOR NOW...OPTED TO KEEP THE ADVISORY GOING AS IS. THE
SLICKEST ROADS ARE EXPECTED OVER MTN PASSES...BUT EVEN THERE THE
RECENT MILD WEATHER SHOULD KEEP TRAVEL IMPACTS AT A MINIMUM. OF
NOTE...IT WILL BE BREEZY AT TIMES THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON THANKS TO
A TIGHTENING PRESSURE GRADIENT. THIS COMBINED WITH THE FALLING
SNOW WILL CAUSE REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY AT TIMES SO EXTRA TIME
FOR TRAVEL IS ENCOURAGED THIS MORNING.

THE RAIN AND SNOW WILL GRADUALLY TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST LATE
THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING. WITH LINGERING MOISTURE/SNOW
COVER COMBINED WITH CLEARING SKIES AND A DECREASING WIND...EXPECT
AT LEAST SOME PATCHY FOG TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT
TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THANKS TO WPC FOR
COORDINATION ON SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. MARTIN

SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...THE UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE AREA THAT
AFFECTED THE AREA THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT WILL MOVE INTO THE
SOUTHERN ROCKIES/SOUTHERN PLAINS FOR SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. AS A
RESULT, THE POSITIVELY HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE OVER THE PACIFIC COAST
WILL BUILD INTO MONTANA, WHICH WILL KEEP THE PRECIPITATION
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS UPPER LOW WELL SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST OF THE
FORECAST AREA. MEDIUM RANGE MODELS THEN DIFFER ON JUST HOW MUCH OF
AN IMPACT A DEEPENING UPPER TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE OFF THE PACIFIC
COAST WILL HAVE ON THE AREA WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE ECMWF
KEEPS THE LOW PRESSURE CENTER OF THE TROUGH JUST OFF THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST COAST, WHICH WOULD PUT THE AREA UNDER A MOIST AND UNSTABLE
SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT AND BRING A GOOD CHANCE OF AT LEAST MOUNTAIN
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS. THE GFS DIGS THE TROUGH FARTHER SOUTH AND
PUTS THE UPPER LOW CENTER OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST. AS A RESULT, THE
AREA WOULD STAY MORE SO UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE RIDGE AND REMAIN
MOSTLY DRY. AS A COMPROMISE, HAVE KEPT A MENTION OF
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS AND WILL
MONITOR THE SITUATION. REGARDLESS, THE WARMING TREND SHOULD CONTINUE
THROUGH THE END OF THE NEXT WORK WEEK. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S TO MID
50S ON SATURDAY SHOULD WARM INTO THE 70S FOR THE MIDDLE AND LATTER
PART OF NEXT WEEK, WHILE LOWS GO FROM THE 20S SATURDAY NIGHT TO THE
MID 30S TO MID 40S BY THURSDAY NIGHT.  COULSTON

&&

.AVIATION...
UPDATED 1145Z.

A SPRING STORM WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE MOUNTAIN OBSCURING
RAIN/SNOW WITH VFR/LIFR CONDITIONS AND GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS
CURRENTLY OVER MOST OF THE FORECAST AREA SOUTH INTO THE KBZN AREA
AND EAST TO KLWT THROUGH 15Z. CONDITIONS WILL GRADUALLY IMPROVE FROM
NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST BETWEEN 17Z AND 03Z AS THE SYSTEM WEAKENS AND
MOVES OFF TO THE SOUTHEAST. CLOUDS WILL GRADUALLY BREAK UP BETWEEN
00Z AND 06Z, ALLOWING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FOG DEVELOPMENT.
LINGERING WESTERLY WINDS MAY BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT FOG FROM
DEVELOPING AT KCTB AND KGTF, BUT POSSIBLY DENSE FOG COULD DEVELOP
ELSEWHERE. WILL NEED TO MONITOR THIS FOR UPCOMING TAFS.  COULSTON

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GTF  39  24  53  29 / 100  20   0   0
CTB  44  26  54  30 /  90   0   0   0
HLN  42  27  55  31 /  70  20   0   0
BZN  42  25  54  27 /  70  30   0   0
WEY  38  20  45  20 /  40  30   0   0
DLN  43  26  54  30 /  60  20   0   0
HVR  46  26  56  27 / 100  20   0   0
LWT  39  25  51  28 /  90  50   0   0

&&

.TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON MDT TODAY FOR MTZ009-010-
044>046-048.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR
MTZ012>014-049>054.

&&

WEATHER.GOV/GREATFALLS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:22 AM MST, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
622 AM MDT FRI APR 15 2016

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

0611 AM     SNOW             4 NNE THE KNEES         48.08N 111.26W
04/15/2016  M2.0 INCH        CHOUTEAU           MT   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TOTAL STORM PRECIPITATION SO FAR 1.25 INCHES OF
            WATER...STILL SNOWING.

&&

MM

Local storm report, Apr 15, 5:46 AM MST, 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
646 AM MDT FRI APR 15 2016

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

0644 AM     SNOW             4 SSE BYNUM             47.93N 112.29W
04/15/2016  M3.0 INCH        TETON              MT   CO-OP OBSERVER

            TOTAL PRECIPITATION SO FAR 0.59 WITH 2 OF SNOW ON THE
            GROUND.

&&

MM

Event by event

11 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Eastern Teton

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Teton forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

Nineteen inches of snow fell at Bynum 24W (the Mt Lockhart SNOTEL site - elevation 6400 feet). Also, sixteen inches of snow fell at Bynum 23W (the Waldron SNOTEL site - elevation 5600 feet). The heavy snow downed at least 40 power poles across the area causing power outages at Choteau, Fairfield, Dutton, and Power. School was canceled at Fairfield, Power, and Choteau. Numerous slide-off vehicle accidents were also reported.

Winter Storm, Jefferson

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

Sixteen inches of snow fell at Clancy 10SE (the Tizer Basin SNOTEL site - elevation 6880 feet). Also, twelve inches of snow fell at Basin 6N (the Rocker Peak SNOTEL site - elevation 8000 feet).

Winter Storm, Southern Lewis and Clark

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Southern Lewis and Clark forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

Fifteen inches of snow fell at Lincoln 11SE (the Nevada Ridge SNOTEL site - elevation|7020 feet). Also, twelve inches fell at Augusta 20N (the Wood Creek SNOTEL site - elevation 5960 feet). The heavy snow downed over 40 power poles across the area resulting in power outages in Augusta, Wolf Creek, and Craig. The Montana Highway Patrol responded to several slide-off and jackknife calls on I-15 in the Sieben Flats area. Numerous slide-offs also occurred on U.S. 287 between Helena and Three Forks.

Winter Storm, Cascade

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Cascade forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ten inches of snow fell at Monarch 5SSE. Also, seven inches of snow fell at Great Falls 5SW (the Great Falls ASOS site). Additionally, because of the heavy snow, 40 power poles were downed across the area resulting in power outages in Vaughn, Cascade, Ulm, Sun Prairie, Black Eagle, and Great Falls. Over a dozen slide-off vehicle crashes were reported throughout Cascade County. Two semi-tractor trailers jack-knifed on I-15 near Vaughn, blocking the northbound lanes. Many large tree limbs were also downed due to the heavy snow across Great Falls. Winds gusting to over 40 mph and visibilities less than one mile, caused near white-out conditions at times across Cascade County. The Great Falls Police Department issued a traffic alert via social media Twitter during the morning advising citizens to exercise extreme caution while driving.

Winter Storm, North Rocky Mountain Front

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: North Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Heavy wet snow was reported over portions of the Northern Rocky Mountain Front. The heavy snow and extremely poor driving conditions resulted in the cancellation of school at Heart Butte.

Winter Storm, Toole

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Toole forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Heavy wet snow was reported across the area. The heavy snow and widespread poor driving conditions resulted in the cancellation of school at Sunburst.

Winter Storm, Liberty

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Liberty forecast zone
Reported by: Utility Company

Heavy wet snow resulted in over 40 power poles being downed across the area. Power was reported out for several hours at Chester.

Winter Storm, Eastern Pondera

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Pondera forecast zone
Reported by: Utility Company

Heavy wet snow caused the downing of over 40 power poles across the area. Power was reported out for several hours at Valier and Conrad. Numerous slide-off vehicle accidents were also reported, especially on I-15. Many tree limbs were also reported broken in Conrad.

Winter Storm, Meagher

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Meagher forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

Ten inches of snow fell at Neihart 8W (the Stringer Creek SNOTEL site - elevation 6549 feet).

Winter Storm, Hill

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Hill forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet

Nine inches of snow fell at Rocky Boy 9SE (the Rocky Boy SNOTEL site - elevation 4700 feet).

Winter Storm, Judith Basin

When: April 15, 6:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Judith Basin forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Six inches of snow fell at Stanford.

What these are

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.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, April 2016

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: 619736, 619738, 619744, 619746, 619747, 619748, 619749, 619750, 619751, 619752, 619753.