A major winter storm brought periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and gusty northwest winds to 45 mph. Snowfall amounts were mainly in the 6 to 12 inch range.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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 BYZ wrote it up.
A major winter storm brought periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and gusty northwest winds to 45 mph. Snowfall amounts were mainly in the 6 to 12 inch range. In addition, surface observations showed prolonged reductions in visibilities below 1 mile. U.S. Highway 212 and Interstate 90 were closed for a prolonged period of time. In addition, schools instituted virtual learning and the Montana Department of Transportation urged no unnecessary travel.
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 Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 11, 9:06 PM MST, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier.
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Gusty winds to 30 mph, combined with falling snow and snow on the ground, resulted in visibilities less than a quarter mile.
Snowfall of 5 to 13 inches and poor road conditions were reported across the area.
Snowfall of 6 inches and poor road conditions were reported across the area.
NORHSC estimated 12 inches of snow. In addition, spotters reported poor road conditions.
U.S. Highway 212 was closed.
Snowfall around 11 inches was reported across the area. Highway 212 was closed.
Snowfall of 6 inches and poor driving conditions were reported across the area.
Snowfall of 7 to 10 inches, along with blowing and drifting snow, was reported across the area.
Snowfall of 7 to 8 inches with wind gusts to 50 mph were reported across the area. Highway 212 was closed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Montana in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, December 2022
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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1066539, 1066541, 1066542, 1066543, 1066544, 1066538, 1066540, 1066534, 1066533.