A vigorous mid-level disturbance and attendant surface cold front moved through Montana in a northwest to southeast direction on Sunday April 28th. This brought a several hour period of strong gusty northerly winds and moderate to heavy snow, which combined to produce blizzard conditions across much of North-central Montana.
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 TFX wrote it up.
A vigorous mid-level disturbance and attendant surface cold front moved through Montana in a northwest to southeast direction on Sunday April 28th. This brought a several hour period of strong gusty northerly winds and moderate to heavy snow, which combined to produce blizzard conditions across much of North-central Montana. During the peak of the storm, wind gusts as high as 70 mph were reported, causing isolated power outages, motor vehicle accidents and weather related closures on area roadways, and a boating incident possibly attributed to gusty winds. The timing of the cold front passage possibly enhanced the impact of this storm because most of the event occurred before daytime heating was able to warm roadway surface temperatures above freezing.
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 27, 10:40 PM MST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1140 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2019 Updated Aviation Section .SYNOPSIS... Strong cold front and spring storm will bring falling temperatures tonight and into the day on Sunday, along with snow and windy conditions. Whiteout conditions are expected across all of North Central Montana Sunday morning and into the afternoon, which will make travel hazardous if not impossible at times. && .UPDATE... No major changes were made. Minor short-term updates to temps and dewpoints to account for current conditions and trends, and also updated POPs over next few hours to account for ongoing shower activity. Also touched up POPs a bit through 18z to smooth out the a few random lower POP areas. Otherwise, looking at the advance of precip and winds in Alberta, it appears those forecast parameters are relatively on track. && .AVIATION... Updated 1140 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2019 VFR conditions will begin to deteriorate to MVFR/IFR conditions from northwest to southeast this morning, with gusty winds increasing throughout the morning. Heavier snow and blowing snow is expected for the KCTB within the next few hours, with KCTB, KHVR, and KLWT seeing their worst conditions during the morning and afternoon hours today. Widespread IFR and LIFR conditions are expected this morning, along with terrain obscurations. NW-N'ly wind gusts of 35kts or higher will be common, with gusts to 50kts possible at times for KCTB and KHVR. Parts of Southwest MT, including KBZN and KEKS will continue to see reduced visibilities and lower cloud ceilings through the morning hours before improving by the afternoon. -TP && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 230 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2019/ Rest of this afternoon through Sunday...dynamic spring storm bring widespread impacts from strong winds, reduced visibilities, falling temperatures, and accumulating snow to North Central is the primary forecast concern. Compact H500 wave, with a closed low over Southeastern British Columbia/Southwest Alberta, was quickly beginning to dig southeast towards the Northern Rockies/Northern High Plains this afternoon (as of 21z). At the surface, ~1004mb low was located just to the east of Lethbridge, AB, with a cold front extending east across the remainder of Southern Alberta. In addition to the two surface features just to our north, a Pacific front located along a Cut Bank, to Lincoln, to Missoula line and advancing eastward. This Pacific front will be responsible for scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms this afternoon/early this evening at most locations, with snow along the Divide. Weak instability and impressive shear could support the potential for a strong thunderstorm or two east of a Great Falls to Havre line over this timeframe, with small hail and gusty winds being the primary concern. As the compact H500 wave/closed low crosses over the region this evening and the surface low slides into Northeast Montana, a brief lull in precipitation is possible, especially over the plains of North Central Montana. This lull will be short lived however, as the cold front surges south southeast across the region. At this time, the cold front is expected to move through CTB between 03-06z, GTF between 06-09z, HVR/HLN between 09-12z, and LWT/BZN between 12- 15z. Very strong winds are expected over North Central Montana following the passage of this cold front, with frequent wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph. Moderate to heavy snow will also accompany the front, with moderate to heavy snow remaining over North Central Montana for 12-18hrs following the cold front. The Blizzard Warning remains in effect for all of North Central Montana, with the Winter Weather Advisory remaining in effect for Central/Southern Lewis and Clark (excluding the City of Helena) and Meagher Counties. Travel will be very difficult if not impossible early Sunday morning over North Central Montana due to whiteout conditions. The one good thing about this spring storm is the speed at which it is moving, which will help to limit the residence time over the region. With this being said, do expect conditions to begin to improve late Sunday afternoon into the evening hours as the system moves further to the east. - Moldan Sunday night through Thursday...Overall, the NBM looked on track for this period, with little changes. The snow diminishes Sunday night with a cold night expected for late April. Isolated rain/snow showers are possible for the first half of the week, with the best chance for precipitation looking to be on Tuesday over Southwest MT. A very slow warming trend is expected from Monday through Thursday. For Friday and Saturday...Overall the NBM looked on track for this period as well. A more southwesterly flow aloft is expected to develop over the region. This will allow temperatures to approach more seasonal normals. Additionally, upper level disturbances will also being northeastward through the region, allowing for better chances for showers and thunderstorms. Brusda && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 27 31 19 36 / 80 100 20 10 CTB 24 32 16 37 / 90 90 10 10 HLN 29 34 19 40 / 70 90 10 10 BZN 26 34 17 40 / 90 50 10 10 WEY 19 31 12 38 / 30 20 10 40 DLN 26 37 20 40 / 30 20 10 10 HVR 29 35 19 41 / 90 100 20 10 LWT 27 29 18 34 / 100 100 60 20 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Blizzard Warning from midnight tonight to noon MDT Sunday Eastern Glacier...Eastern Pondera...Eastern Teton...Liberty... Toole. Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Sunday Central and Southern Lewis and Clark...Meagher. Blizzard Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Sunday Cascade... Chouteau...Fergus...Judith Basin. Winter Weather Advisory until midnight MDT tonight Northern Rocky Mountain Front. Blizzard Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM MDT Sunday Blaine...Hill. Blizzard Warning from midnight tonight to noon MDT Sunday Northern Rocky Mountain Front...Southern Rocky Mountain Front. && http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1144 PM MDT SAT APR 27 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1140 PM SNOW 2 NNE BOZEMAN HOT SPRIN 45.67N 111.17W
04/27/2019 E2.0 INCH GALLATIN MT TRAINED SPOTTER
2 INCHES OF NEW SNOW THIS EVENING. SNOW IS
FALLING HEAVY AT THIS TIME, WITH VISIBILITY
AROUND A QUARTER OF A MILE. WINDS HAVE LET
UP.
&&
BRUSDAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1145 PM MDT SAT APR 27 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0709 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 WNW WHITEHALL 45.92N 112.25W
04/27/2019 M56 MPH JEFFERSON MT MESONET
CORRECTS PREVIOUS MARINE TSTM WIND REPORT
FROM 8 WNW WHITEHALL. PIPESTONE OBSERVATION.
&&
BRUSDASpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Great Falls MT 1150 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2019 MTZ008-015-055-280800- Beaverhead-Madison-Gallatin- Including the cities of Big Hole Pass, Wisdom, Dillon, Chief Joseph Pass, Monida Pass, Wise River, Ennis, Norris Hill, Raynolds Pass, Twin Bridges, Virginia City, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Battle Ridge Pass, Bozeman Pass, and Targhee Pass 1150 PM MDT Sat Apr 27 2019 ...Areas of heavy snow moving through Southwest MT early this morning... Areas of heavy snow have developed behind the cold front over Southwest MT. Snowfall rates up to one inch per hour are occurring, especially around Bozeman. Expect snow to impact areas around Dillon, Ennis, Big Sky and Bozeman Pass. Visibility will be reduced to less than one half mile at times through 3 AM. Those traveling early this morning should be prepared for quickly changing road conditions and areas of poor visibility.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1151 PM MDT SAT APR 27 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1124 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SE BROWNING 48.54N 112.98W
04/27/2019 M50 MPH GLACIER MT MESONET
MESONET STATION MTBWG BROWNING MDT.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1243 AM MDT SUN APR 28 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1153 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE EAST GLACIER PARK 48.45N 113.19W
04/27/2019 M60 MPH GLACIER MT DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
60 MPH WIND GUST AT THE DOT SENSOR JUST EAST
OF EAST GLACIER PARK.
&&
BRUSDAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREAT FALLS MT
1252 AM MDT SUN APR 28 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1221 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 SE EAST GLACIER PARK 48.36N 113.11W
04/28/2019 M64 MPH GLACIER MT MESONET
MESONET STATION DCRM8 DEEP CREEK RAWS.
&&
BRUSDA14 blizzard, 10 high wind, 3 heavy snow, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Blizzard conditions reported at MDT Two Medicine Bridge Sensor. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds 28-39 mph and gusts 40 to 50 mph. Note that the sensor went offline at 307 AM MST while blizzard conditions were ongoing.
MDOT station MTBWG Browning reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 53 kt/61 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at Carter. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, 2 inches of snow on the ground, with drifts up to 6 inches.
Non-thunderstorm wind damage. Fairfield Sun Times reported a roof ripped off of a mobile home and trees down in the Fairfield area.
Power outage reported in Sun Prairie due to high winds. Estimated 52 kt/60 mph wind gusts.
Blizzard conditions reported at the MDOT Sunburst Sensor. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds above 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. Severe driving conditions were also reported in the area.
Blizzard conditions reported at Cut Bank Airport International Airport ASOS. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds averaging 40 mph and gusts near 55 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at Moccasin. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, winds averaging 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at the Hotel/Fairfield AWOS. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with winds gusts of 47-52 mph.
Non-thunderstorm wind gust of 56 kt/ 64 mph was reported the MDOT Sweetgrass sensor.
Blizzard conditions reported at Brady. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with wind gusts 50 to 70 mph.
Severe driving conditions reported by Montana DOT along highway 2 at 710 AM MST from Chester to the Hill County line. The Chester CWOP station reported sustained winds of 27 to 37 mph, with gusts 39 to 53 mph.
Mesonet station DW0975 Kevin reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 54 kt/62 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at 4 SSE Bynum for at least three hours. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with wind gusts from 40 to 50 mph.
AWOS station K1FM 8 NNE Augusta reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 54 kt/62 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at Great Falls International Airport ASOS. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph and gusts 43 to 48 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at Lewistown Airport ASOS. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds averaging 30 mph and gusts near 45 mph.
Blizzard conditions reported at Havre Airport ASOS. Visibility was a quarter mile or less, with sustained winds averaging 30 mph and gusts near 45 mph.
The Montana Standard Reported the following - Late Sunday morning April 28th, two fishing boats capsized on Upper Holter Lake in Southern Lewis and Clark County. The accident resulted in one fatality and sent five others to the hospital. Winter weather conditions may have played a role in the crash.
Snow with gusty winds over 30 mph were reported in the area that morning.
AWOS station K1CM 2 NW Windham reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 54 kt/62 mph.
MDOT station MTSBM Sieben Flats reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 50 kt/58 mph.
AWOS station K1JM reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 53 kt/61 mph.
Belt Rural Volunteer Fire Department relayed the following message via Facebook : Belt Rural and Belt Ambulance responded mutual aid to MM 15 on US Highway 87 in Judith Basin County for a MVA. The accident involved a semi and passenger car and was dispatched as extrication required. Visibility was greatly reduced and the road was icy and snow covered. Extrication was completed by JB County units prior to our arrival. 5 patients were transported to the hospital.
A trained spotter located at 4 SSE Monarch reported 18 inches of snow accumulation.
A trained spotter reported 10 inches of snow accumulation at 7 SE Rocky Boy.
AWOS station K1LM Lima reported a non-thunderstorm wind gust of 55 kt/64 mph.
A coop observer at station SHSM8 11 ESE Highwood reported 29 inches of snow accumulation.
Blizzard conditions reported by the public at 20 N Zortman.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather, Southern Lewis and Clark | 2019-04-28 | Male | In Water | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Montana in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, April 2019
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: 810623, 810696, 810568, 810682, 810689, 810607, 810565, 810570, 810648, 810674, 810577, 810638, 810692, 810579, 810684, 810573, 810572, 810566, 810666, 810690, 810686, 810676, 810654, 810699, 810697, 810691, 810698, 810700.