Montana, 2019

Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Montana, January 23 to 24, 2019

January 23 to 24, 2019 · NWS TFX · 9 events in 6 counties and zones

A rather vigorous shortwave and attendant arctic cold front traversed the area bringing periods of moderate snow and blowing snow. The anticipation of blocked upslope flow and other dynamics lead to the issuance of a winter storm warning for Cascade, Gallatin, Judith Basin, and Meagher Counties.

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
9

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.

A rather vigorous shortwave and attendant arctic cold front traversed the area bringing periods of moderate snow and blowing snow. The anticipation of blocked upslope flow and other dynamics lead to the issuance of a winter storm warning for Cascade, Gallatin, Judith Basin, and Meagher Counties.

Event by event

5 heavy snow, 4 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Cascade

When
January 23, 12:10 PM MST
Where
Cascade forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

Skywest Flight 4292 from Salt Lake City to Great Falls was diverted to Bozeman due to snowy conditions.

Heavy Snow, Southern Lewis and Clark

When
January 23, 5:03 PM MST
Where
Southern Lewis and Clark forecast zone
Reported by
Public

Storm total snow accumulation was estimated at 10 inches.

Winter Storm, Judith Basin

When
January 23, 6:14 PM MST
Where
Judith Basin forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways

US highway 191 was reportedly closed from Harlo to Eddies Corner due to snow, blowing snow and near zero visibility.

Winter Storm, Madison

When
January 23, 7:10 PM MST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways

MT DOT reports severe driving conditions south of Ennis on MT highway 87 MP 8 to 18.

Heavy Snow, Cascade

When
January 23, 8:15 PM MST
Where
Cascade forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter

Trained spotter at 11 SSE Ulm reported a storm total snow accumulation of 7 inches.

Winter Storm, Gallatin

When
January 23, 10:33 PM MST
Where
Gallatin forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways

Numerous slide offs and and roadway vehicle traffic crashes due to snow and blowing snow.

Heavy Snow, Meagher

When
January 24, 5:55 AM MST
Where
Meagher forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter

Trained spotter measures an 8 inch storm total snow accumulation.

Heavy Snow, Southern Lewis and Clark

When
January 24, 6:40 AM MST
Where
Southern Lewis and Clark forecast zone
Reported by
Public

The Great Divide Ski Area reported a storm total snow accumulation of 12 inches. This report was relayed via the web.

Heavy Snow, Cascade

When
January 24, 9:16 AM MST
Where
Cascade forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter

Trained spotter at 7 SW Highwood estimates storm total snow accumulation of 7.5 inches. Estimation was necessary due to blowing and drifting of snow.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
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.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, January 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 794973, 794965, 794884, 794877, 794881, 794875, 794883, 794967, 794882.