A strong winter storm system moved across the area, bringing significant snowfall to the region from the morning of the 4th through the evening of the 5th. Snowfall amounts for most locations were generally 6 to 12 inches, with some areas in the southwest along the Musselshell River only receiving 2 to 4 inches.
Every event with a place to put it; 18 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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 episode as NWS GGW wrote it up.
A strong winter storm system moved across the area, bringing significant snowfall to the region from the morning of the 4th through the evening of the 5th. Snowfall amounts for most locations were generally 6 to 12 inches, with some areas in the southwest along the Musselshell River only receiving 2 to 4 inches.
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 Glasgow, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 4, 3:32 AM MST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Glasgow MT 332 AM MST Sun Mar 4 2018 .DISCUSSION... ...A significant winter storm will bring several impacts to northeast Montana through Monday... Radar returns are presently focused over the southwest portion of the CWA early this morning. As latest model runs have finally stabilized some in the last day or so, confidence is higher on a significant winter storm to affect northeast Montana today and Monday. The impacts will vary however, depending upon location. Out ahead of the main storm, a near saturated boundary later with low clouds and areas of freezing fog will be some concern, as well as the potential for freezing drizzle. Over time, steady snow will approach from southwest to northeast across northeast Montana. Vertical cross sections of relative humidity, omega, and looking at model forecast soundings suggest that the steadiest snowfall rates should occur for most places this afternoon through this evening. A dry slot is expected today across the southeast zones, at least as far north as Interstate 94 near Glendive, and possibly as far north as the Sidney area along the Montana/North Dakota border. Freezing drizzle can still occur in the absence of steady snowfall rates, and so impacts are still expected in this region today even if initial snow accumulations are lighter than further west. Tonight and Monday morning, wrap around snow will return to these locations along with strong and gusty north to northwest winds as high as 40 mph at times. Even a few inches of snowfall in the presence of these strong winds, taken together with any freezing drizzle, justify upgrading the Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning at this time. The next couple of shifts can continue to evaluate trends should the dry slot advance further north, linger for longer, and/or if lower accumulations become expected. For now, wanted to stick with the stronger messaging due to the possibility of impacts that could result should present forecast materialize. Further to the west, a little freezing drizzle can still occur this morning but then expect snow, heavy at times, through tonight, with lingering light snow ending from west to east on Monday. All told, a solid 5 to 10 inches is expected but an isolated location may come in with a foot. This will occur north and west of the surface low track which will deepen as it tracks by the area. This will lead to increased pressure gradient over eastern Montana. Thus, new snowfall combined with wind gusts around 30 to 35 mph tonight and Monday, significant blowing and drifting snow will also occur. There is still some uncertainty as to where the back edge of the heaviest snowfall amounts will occur. Additionally, localized mesoscale details, as well as terrain features, will also play a factor in total snowfall amounts. That all being said, people are encouraged not to focus on the exact snowfall forecast measurements. Even a little bit of new snow accumulation in the presence of expected wind gusts will cause travel to become very difficult as roads become slick and snow covered and visibility becomes severely restricted. Thus, travelers are encouraged to check road reports before heading out for any planned activities. CANL also indicates the combination of discussed weather hazards will cause severe to extreme stress on newborn livestock area wide and so will continue messaging that highlight as well. Monday night through Wednesday night, expect a colder air mass as the low pressure system exits further downstream of the region. Overnight lows each day will likely drop to near zero due to efficient radiational cooling given the new snow cover, especially if clearing skies can occur. A little upper level ridging indicated by 00z models will lead to gradual improvement in temperature trends late in the week with associated height rises. This part of the forecast was trended toward consensus blends which capture this idea rather well. Maliawco && .AVIATION... Areas of freezing drizzle and freezing fog are expected across area terminals through 18z. This afternoon through Monday, expect snow, heavy at times, especially near KGGW and KOLF. In general, MVFR to IFR ceilings will prevail through Monday for all terminals as this winter storm pushes through the region. LIFR and lower ceilings are possible at times with some of the steadier snowfall that occurs. Visibility will be reduced at times in morning fog, but the most persistent reductions will occur with snow that occurs later today through Monday. In fact, visibility of a mile or less is possible between 21Z this afternoon and 06Z Monday, especially at KGGW and KOLF where the heaviest snowfall rates are expected. North winds today of 10 to 15 kts will increase gradually during the day. North to northwest winds of 15 to 25 kts are expected after 00z this evening with gusts between 30 and 35 kts at times. These strong winds will linger at times into Monday. Maliawco && .GLASGOW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM MST Monday for Central and Southeast Phillips...Central and Southern Valley...Daniels... Dawson...Eastern Roosevelt...Garfield...McCone...Northern Phillips...Northern Valley...Petroleum...Prairie...Richland... Sheridan...Southwest Phillips...Western Roosevelt...Wibaux. && weather.gov/glasgow
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
15 winter storm, 3 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy snow fell across Valley County with this storm. Widespread snowfall amounts were over 6 inches, with the highest being 15 inches, which was measured at the Glasgow Weather Forecast Office.
Very sparse snowfall reports came in from Daniels County for this storm. However, Montana DOT road reports showed severe driving conditions across Daniels County due to blowing and drifting snow beginning at 8:30 PM on the 4th, and lasting into the evening of the 5th.
Snow began falling early in the morning of March 4th. Gusty winds accompanying the snow on the 5th created blizzard conditions as visibility was consistently reduced to less than a quarter mile across the area from approximately 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM on the 5th, as recorded on the Wolf Point ASOS and the Poplar AWOS. Three to six inches of snow fell across western Roosevelt County from this storm. Snowfall diminished and ended on the evening of the 5th.
Eight to twelve inches of snow were reported across Petroleum County, most of which fell on March 4th. Eight inches of snow was reported by a cooperative observer 6 miles NNE of Winnett at 10PM on March 4th, and a trained spotter reported a storm total of 12 inches of snow in Winnett at 9 AM on March 5th.
Heavy snow fell across portions of Garfield County the evening of March 4th through much of March 5th. At 8:30 AM MST on the 5th, a trained spotter located 7 miles southwest of the Hell Creek Recreation Area reported an estimated 12 inches of snow with drifts six to seven feet deep and reduced visibility due to wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Additionally, at 5 PM MST on the 5th a cooperative observer 3 miles north of Brusett reported a 24 hour snowfall total of 12 inches.
Snowfall reports were very sparse across McCone County, but reports show that over 4 inches of snow fell across the area on March 4th and 5th. Blowing and drifting snow caused significantly reduced visibility and severe travel conditions, especially after 9:00 PM MST March 4th through most of the day on the 5th.
Five to six inches of snow fell across Richland County on the 4th and 5th of the month. Gusty winds and the new snowfall created blizzard conditions from 6:45 AM MST on the 5th until just after 1:00 PM MST on the 5th.
Few snowfall reports were received from northern Phillips County. However, gusty winds, a much above normal snowpack, and fresh snow contributed to create severe driving conditions due to reduced visibility from blowing and drifting of snow across roadways. These conditions prevailed from the afternoon of March 4th through the morning of the 5th.
Three to six inches of snow fell across Wibaux County from this storm, almost entirely between just after midnight on the morning of March 5th and 3:30 PM MST on the 5th. Of greater impact, however, were gusty winds contributing to blowing and drifting snow across roadways as early as 7:00 AM MST on March 4th. Blizzard conditions were observed much of the morning and early afternoon of the 5th, with visibility down to 50 yards or less during some of this time.
Snowfall reports were difficult to come by, with 4 to 6 inches of snow being reported across Dawson County. However, the snow and gusty winds created hazardous travel conditions due to snow blowing and drifting across roadways. Blizzard conditions were observed at Glendive through much of the early morning hours of March 5th. This was concurrent with winds gusting to 50 mph or greater. The hazardous travel conditions across Dawson County persisted from the early morning hours of March 4th through the morning hours of the 5th.
Snowfall amounts across eastern Roosevelt County were generally in the 6 to 10 inch range, with the cooperative observer in Culbertson reporting 8 inches of new snow on March 4th and 5th, with an additional 4 inches in the 24 hour period between 6 PM MST March 5-6. Additionally, gusty winds contributed to blowing and drifting snow across roadways throughout this period.
Several inches of snow fell across central and southern Phillips County with this storm. Widespread snowfall amounts were 4 to 7 inches, with up to 12 inches reported at the Montana Department of Transportation site south of Malta on Highway 191. Montana road reports showed snow and blowing snow significantly impacting travel conditions as early as noon on the 4th. Highway 191 was closed due to the severe travel conditions from approximately 8:00 on the evening of March 4th and did not reopen until the early morning hours of March 6th.
Several inches of snow fell across northern Valley County with this storm. Snowfall amounts of up to 14 inches were reported with this storm, with 10 inches falling on the 4th alone at a cooperative observation site north of Opheim.
Snow began falling in Sheridan County at around 7 AM on March 4th. Snowfall diminished overnight on the 4th, but returned with gusty winds the morning of the 5th. By 6:30 AM, blowing and drifting snow had reduced visibility to blizzard conditions, and these conditions persisted until around 6 PM on the 5th. Snow stopped falling at around 11 PM on the 5th. Four to six inches of snowfall was reported across Sheridan County from this storm.
Montana road reports show blowing and drifting snow significantly impacting travel as early as noon on the 4th of March. By 8 AM on the 5th, there were multiple reports from the Zortman area of 12 to 15 inches of new snowfall with drifts over 4 feet deep.
Snow and blowing snow impacted Dawson County, causing blizzard conditions through much of the 5th. The Glendive AWOS recorded sustained winds of 35 mph or greater starting at 5:30 AM and persisting into the early afternoon hours. This caused significantly reduced visibility, and visibility was below or near a quarter mile until shortly after 5 PM on the 5th.
Blizzard conditions with visibility of a quarter mile or less due to blowing snow were observed by the Sidney airport AWOS. Wind gusts were 35 to 45 mph during this time. Additionally, by late morning the Richland County's Sheriff's office was advising emergency travel only due to blizzard conditions impacting travel.
A cooperative observer located 9 miles northwest of Carlyle reported snow and blowing snow starting at around midnight. The majority of the snow fell after 10 AM on the 5th, and by about 8:45 PM, they reported visibility down to 50 yards due to the blowing snow.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Montana in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, March 2018
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: 744179, 744181, 744360, 744361, 744362, 744363, 744364, 744365, 744366, 744367, 744368, 744177, 744180, 744359, 744178, 745844, 744369, 745843.