Montana, 2017Heavy Snow in Montana, November 2 to 4, 2017
November 2 to 4, 2017 · NWS MSO · 4 events in 4 counties and zones
The combination of an arctic front sliding down the Rockies and a short wave trough moving across the Pacific Northwest creates a perfect setup for heavy valley snow across northwest and southwest Montana. Due to the early season nature of this event, road crews were not fully staffed to clear the heavy snow, and were thus overwhelmed.
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.
The combination of an arctic front sliding down the Rockies and a short wave trough moving across the Pacific Northwest creates a perfect setup for heavy valley snow across northwest and southwest Montana. Due to the early season nature of this event, road crews were not fully staffed to clear the heavy snow, and were thus overwhelmed.
Heavy Snow, Kootenai/Cabinet Region
- When
- November 2, 6:00 AM MST to November 3, 12:00 PM MST
- Where
- Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 48.171, -114.863 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) reported trees were falling on highway 56 north of Noxon due to the weight of the snow. Snow amounts were very impressive for early November with Libby reporting a storm total of 11 inches. Spotters also reported 10.4 inches near Marion and 12.1 inches near Kila.
Heavy Snow, Flathead/Mission Valleys
- When
- November 2, 6:00 AM MST to November 3, 1:00 PM MST
- Where
- Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Montana Department of Transportation declared Severe Driving conditions for US 93 from Polson to Somers due to heavy snow. Roads were closed from about Dayton to Somers. A Spotter in Kalispell reported a 24 hour total of 12.7 inches with a few hours of 1 per hour snow rates. Other spotters in the Flathead Valley reported 7.4 inches in Bigfork and 7.4 inches in Evergreen.
Heavy Snow, West Glacier Region
- When
- November 2, 7:00 AM MST to November 3, 11:00 AM MST
- Where
- West Glacier Region forecast zone
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 47.971, -114.069 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The media reported 8 to 10 inches of snow in Hungry Horse and 12 inches of snow in West Glacier over 24 hours. Marias pass saw less snow than the valleys with 5 inches being reported. Fielding RAWS station reported an easterly wind at 10 gust 18 mph, and this may have contributed to lower snow ratios at Marias pass.
Heavy Snow, Butte / Blackfoot Region
- When
- November 3, 2:00 PM MST to November 4, 6:00 AM MST
- Where
- Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A spotter reported 10 inches of snow in the outskirts of Butte. The heavy snow appeared to play a role in 3 crashes on I-90 near Homestake pass on the evening of November 3rd. Due to the early season nature of this event, Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) was understaffed and overwhelmed from this heavy snow event. An employee from MDT said they already had a winter worth of snow and don't want any more.
- 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.
- Winter Storm in Montana, November 2 to 4, 201713 events
- Heavy Snow in Idaho, November 2 to 3, 20176 events
- Heavy Snow in Washington, November 2 to 3, 20176 events
- Heavy Snow in Washington, November 2 to 3, 20173 events
- Flash Flood and Hail in Illinois, November 2 to 3, 2017$5,000 · 0.88 in hail · 2 events
- High Wind in New Mexico, November 2, 201750 kt wind · 1 event
- Hail in Missouri, November 2, 20171 in hail · 1 event
- Hail in Missouri, November 2, 20170.75 in hail · 1 event
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: 722328, 722332, 722330, 722333.