Residual arctic air and cold ground temperatures set the stage for widespread freezing rain across western Montana as a trough of low pressure brought warm pacific air and precipitation into the region.
Every event with a place to put it; 7 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 MSO wrote it up.
Residual arctic air and cold ground temperatures set the stage for widespread freezing rain across western Montana as a trough of low pressure brought warm pacific air and precipitation into the region.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 winter storm, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Widespread freezing rain impacted the Interstate 90 and Highway 200 corridors, where up to a quarter inch of ice accretion was reported. MDT declared severe driving for Interstate 90 between Frenchtown and Lookout Pass.
MDT declared severe driving conditions on US Highway 2 as freezing rain lead to extremely slick conditions. Two tenths of an inch of freezing rain was reported in Essex. A downed tree caused 378 customers to lose power.
The Missoula International Airport briefly closed due to freezing rain during the morning hours of December 25th. A light glaze of ice was reported on area roadways.
Severe driving conditions on Highway 93 from mile marker 56 to 75 and on Highway 35 from mile marker 0 to 18. KGPI closed from 14:12 to 23:50 MST on 12-25, due to freezing rain. Many reports of dangerous driving conditions and ice accumulations up to one quarter inch.
Widespread freezing rain led to extremely difficult travel along Interstate 90 and US Highway 12 from Bearmouth to Garrison Junction to MacDonald Pass. Numerous slide offs occurred. A glaze of ice also was reported along Highway 200.
A glaze of ice on roadways from freezing rain caused MDT to declare severe driving conditions on US 12.
Widespread freezing rain led to dangerous driving conditions and several slide offs on area roadways.
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1064130, 1064072, 1064133, 1064412, 1064178, 1064144, 1064150.