Blizzard and Winter Storm in Montana, February 2 to 4, 2019

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Montana, February 2 to 4, 2019
Start: 2019-02-02T00:30
End: 2019-02-04T12:30
Location: Montana

February 2 to 4, 2019 · NWS MSO · 12 events in 8 counties and zones

A deep arctic air mass combined with overrunning moisture made for a high impact event for much of western Montana with heavy snow, blowing and drifting snow, wind damage, mixed precipitation, and slick roads.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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 MSO wrote it up.

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 Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 1, 4:09 PM MST, 8 hours 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 1, 4:09 PM MST, 8 hours 21 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
409 PM MST Fri Feb 1 2019

...Moderate to heavy snow with gusty northeasterly winds Saturday
night through Monday...
...Expect an extended period of snowfall for the Northern Rockies
through most of next week...

.DISCUSSION...Light precipitation will gradually fill in across NW
Montana this evening. While much of it should fall as rain, some
pockets of freezing drizzle, sleet or freezing rain could occur
and thus some slick roads are possible this evening. This
precipitation will continue to stream across the region through
much of the day Saturday. Due to this, a Winter Weather Advisory
for mixed precipitation has been issued for portions of NW Montana
from 5PM this evening to 11AM Saturday morning.

Some small changes to the forecast for the upcoming winter storm
for Saturday night through Monday were made during the day today.
The best Pacific moisture source expected to overrun the incoming
arctic airmass has shifted further south, and is now forecast to
be over west-central and southwest Montana, and north-central
Idaho. Snow totals, in some cases were reduced by half, and now
expect 3 to 5 inches of snow starting late Saturday night, through
Monday morning. This doesn't mean the impacts are any less
though. Gusty east-northeast winds will help in reducing
visibility due to blowing and drifting snow. Wind chills are
expected to be as cold as 25F to 30F degrees below zero by Monday
morning. Also, wet roads from snowmelt, and rain/freezing rain
Saturday will freeze as the snow and bitterly cold temperatures
arrive early Sunday morning. Traveling on area roads from
Kalispell to Marias Pass could be dangerous at times.

Little changes were made to the rest of the area across the
Northern Rockies. We still expect 4 to 6 inches of snow for the
valleys of west-central and southwest Montana. Isolated areas
could see higher amounts. In many cases with this type of weather
disturbance, the arctic boundary tends to stall as it runs into
the Bitterroot Mountain Range. If this occurs, more snow can be
expected for the Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys, and along the
Interstate 90 Corridor. Gusty east-northeast winds will also
impact these areas by Sunday afternoon as well. Just not the
speeds and impacts as what is expected for NW Montana. North-
central Idaho valleys will see snow, but it's not forecast to be
cold enough for snow, until after the Pacific cold front passes
Monday morning. anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of snow is possible
for elevations above 1000 feet. The higher communities and
mountains of Clearwater and Idaho counties, can expect 6 to 10
inches of snow.

Forecast models continue to show a secondary shortwave of energy
moving over the arctic airmass Monday afternoon. An area of
enhanced snowfall is expected for north-central Idaho and east
through west-central Montana. Additional snowfall amounts is
likely to occur.

Cold weather will remain the theme for the rest of next week and
quite likely into the weekend as models are now showing at least
one (Wednesday) additional blast of frigid polar air and quite
likely another on Saturday. With a generalized troughing pattern
in place it seems that at least light snow will be possible most
every day and even into next weekend. However, a brief break in
the weather resulting in a period of clearing may be possible on
Thursday. Temperatures across the region could turn dangerously
cold if this clearing actually pans out.

&&

.AVIATION...Conditions at all airfields will remain good through
this evening and largely into Saturday, though some light
precipitation is expected at least in the vicinity of KGPI this
evening. By tomorrow precipitation with be in the vicinity of
all major airfields but the most significant impacts are not
expected until late Saturday night when an arctic front is
forecast to bring very strong NE winds to KGPI after 03/0500z.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     afternoon Butte/Blackfoot Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     afternoon Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

     Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     afternoon Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     afternoon Lower Clark Fork Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from Saturday evening through Monday
     afternoon Flathead/Mission Valleys.

     Winter Storm Watch from Saturday afternoon through Monday
     afternoon West Glacier Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     afternoon Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...None.
&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 winter storm, 2 blizzard, 2 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Flathead/Mission Valleys

When: February 2, 12:30 AM MST to February 4, 11:00 AM MST
Where: Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Similar to other areas, freezing rain caused slick travel in the Flathead and Mission Valleys overnight before the arctic cold front blasted through the area. Winds with the front peaked at 54 mph at the Glacier Park International airport. Besides temperatures falling into the teens, the strong winds contributed to multiple downed large trees, and severe blowing and drifting snow. The drifting prompted the Flathead County Sheriff to close Hodgson Road later Sunday. Six foot snow drifts were reported outside of Ronan in the Mud Lake area. Many schools from Polson to Arlee were preemptively delayed or closed for Monday classes.

Winter Storm, Lower Clark Fork Region

When: February 2, 8:30 AM MST to February 4, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 47.286, -114.685 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Precipitation began as freezing rain ahead of cold arctic winds and heavy snow. Easterly winds gusted to 50 mph at Thompson Falls as temperatures plummeted turning roads to ice. High winds also led to a few downed trees and brief power outages. Heavy snowfall of 6 to 12 inches accumulated by the end of the event.

Winter Storm, West Glacier Region

When: February 2, 10:00 PM MST to February 4, 11:00 AM MST
Where: West Glacier Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 47.971, -114.069 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The event started out with freezing rain along US-2 between West Glacier and Marias Pass Saturday night. Strong winds, estimated to 50 mph by an NWS employee vacationing near Essex, ushered in sub-zero temperatures and wind chills between 20 and 40 below zero. A local ski resort had to close three of their chairs and cancel an outdoor event because of the high winds and cold. This region saw anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of snowfall on top of the freezing rain.

Winter Storm, Kootenai/Cabinet Region

When: February 2, 11:00 PM MST to February 4, 10:00 AM 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)

Before the bitterly cold arctic winds and snow began, temperatures rose into the 40s and 50s. The arctic air rushed westward causing temperatures to drop and moisture to freeze on roadways, particularly impacting US-93. The strong winds caused blowing and drifting snow especially north of Whitefish on US-93 on the 3rd. Snow amounts ranged from 3 inches in Libby up to 8 inches along Highway 56 near Bull Lake.

Winter Storm, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: February 3, 1:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Easterly winds came over the Divide ushering in sub-zero temperatures and wind chills between 25 and 40 below zero. The highest wind gust observed was 63 miles per hour at Helmville. This combined with falling and blowing snow to produce visibilities below a quarter mile at times and treacherous travel conditions. General snowfall across the region ranged between 4 to 8 inches.

Winter Storm, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: February 3, 4:00 AM MST to February 4, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Icy conditions were common on area roads as freezing rain proceeded an arctic blast. Once gusty winds arrived, falling and blowing snow combined to produce near zero visibility at times on Interstate 90, making travel nearly impossible. Snowfall amounts of up to 12 inches were observed.

Winter Storm, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: February 3, 8:00 AM MST to February 4, 11:00 AM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Light freezing rain proceeded the blast of arctic air and accompanying snowfall. Winds gusting from 40 to 50 mph were common in the Missoula Valley, accompanied by moderate to heavy snowfall. General snowfall amounts were 2 to 5 inches with higher amounts to 7 inches in the southern Bitterroot Valley. Minor power outages also occurred because of the high winds.

Blizzard, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: February 3, 9:00 AM MST to 3:00 PM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

During the height of the winter storm, winds gusted to 50 mph in the Missoula Valley, particularly in East Missoula, with visibilities of less than a quarter mile due to snow and blowing snow. Minor power outages occurred and a few signs were damaged around Missoula. Travel was also severely impacted with numerous accidents.

Winter Storm, Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains

When: February 3, 9:00 AM MST to February 4, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.508, -113.828 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads froze up with ice as freezing rain proceeded arctic air and snowfall. Although snowfall amounts only ranged from 3 to 7 inches, the icy road conditions followed by snowfall made for treacherous travel over the mountain passes.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, West Glacier Region

When: February 3, 11:00 AM MST to February 4, 12:30 PM MST
Where: West Glacier Region forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 47.971, -114.069 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sub-zero temperatures and 10 to 20 mph winds combined to produce wind chill values of -30 to -40 for lower elevations on US Highway 2. Extreme values to -63 were observed at the Snow Slip observing site, located near 7000 feet.

Blizzard, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: February 3, 12:00 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

During the height of the winter storm, wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph with visibilities near zero occurred due to snow and blowing snow. According to the Montana Department of Transportation travel was severely impacted especially on Interstate 90.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: February 3, 2:00 PM MST to February 4, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sub-zero temperatures and 10 to 20 mph winds combined to produce wind chill values of -25 to -35 for lower elevations. Extreme values to -49 were observed at the MacDonald Pass observing site, located near 6300 feet.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill: Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, February 2019

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: 800424, 801120, 800423, 800422, 801134, 801135, 801130, 801131, 801132, 801226, 801228, 801227.