Winter Storm and Avalanche in Montana, January 5 to 8, 2022

Name: Winter Storm and Avalanche in Montana, January 5 to 8, 2022
Start: 2022-01-05T07:20
End: 2022-01-08T11:00
Location: Montana

January 5 to 8, 2022 · NWS MSO · 10 events in 8 counties and zones

An arctic intrusion coincided with a moist Pacific wave associated with an atmospheric river, and brought high impacts including heavy snow to both valleys and mountains, hazardous travel, avalanches, tree damage, road closures, power outages and icy roads from freezing rain.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 10 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: 10

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 Jan 5, 4:46 AM MST, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 5, 4:46 AM MST, 2 hours 34 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
446 AM MST Wed Jan 5 2022

.DISCUSSION...

A complex winter storm will develop in stages over the Northern
Rockies through Friday night, bringing a combination of snow,
blowing snow, freezing rain, and sub zero wind chills to the
region.

STAGE 1: Arctic air will move south/west across northwest
Montana and toward a surface low pressure circulation traversing
from north central to eastern Idaho today. Through this afternoon,
most populated locations along I-90 and southward (western
Montana) and Idaho, Clearwater, and Lemhi Counties (Idaho) have a
high probability of snow in the 2-6 inch range. Clearwater
Mountains of Idaho and Bitterroot Crest along Idaho-Montana
border are expected to net 6-12 inches snow accumulation during
this time as well.

STAGE 2: Arctic air will continue to advance south/west across the
entire Northern Rockies through tonight, cooling temperatures and
introducing some near zero and sub zero wind chills along the
Continental Divide. Concurrent with this arctic air intrusion, a
potent subtropical atmospheric river is anticipated to move over
the region. The combination of a temperature profile in the
dendritic snow growth range and deep moisture will create a
widespread, high accumulation snow scenario on Thursday morning.

STAGE 3: The subtropical atmospheric river will eventually modify
(warm) the arctic airmass west of the Continental Divide
throughout Thursday and Friday. The rapid rise in snow levels may
contribute to some freezing rain for low elevations of north
central Idaho on Thursday morning, and then west central and
northwest Montana valleys Thursday night through Friday morning.
Meanwhile, high elevations across the Northern Rockies (and low
elevations across far northwest Montana) will continue to see
substantial snow accumulations. For valleys across much of the
rest of the Northern Rockies, precipitation will eventually turn
from snow to rain on Friday, compacting the previously deposited
snow. In essence, quite a mess for travel or mitigation.

STAGE 4 - FINAL ACT: A northwest oriented trough of low pressure
is expected to arrive late Friday evening and end the warm
subtropical influence over the Northern Rockies. By the time snow
level crash back to most valley floors on Friday night, mountain
snowfall will be measuring over several feet.

By Saturday, a ridge of high pressure is anticipated to park over
the western US and allow widespread valley temperature inversions
and fog to develop into a daily rhythm. Most global models and
their ensembles project that this ridge will stay in place
throughout much of next week. There may be stagnant air in this
scenario, however some model suggest a few interruptions to the
high pressure. Either way, a very definitive pattern change for
the Northern Rockies.

&&

.AVIATION...Steady snow, low visibility, and low ceilings will be
present across Northern Rockies air space (most concentrated near
KMSO and south) through 05/2100Z. There will be short window when
conditions will improve, particularly over western Montana through
06/0300Z. However, another round snow will spread across the
entire air space by 06/1200Z, bringing more low visibility, low
ceilings, and obscured terrain. This second round of snow will
last through Friday, however freezing levels will be rising above
valley elevations from southwest to northeast Thursday through
Friday.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MST this afternoon
     Butte/Blackfoot Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through Saturday morning
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon
     Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM MST this afternoon
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through Friday evening
     Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MST this afternoon Lower
     Clark Fork Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from this evening through Saturday morning
     Kootenai/Cabinet Region...Lower Clark Fork Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MST this afternoon
     Flathead/Mission Valleys.

     Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to midnight MST
     Friday night Flathead/Mission Valleys.

     Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Saturday afternoon
     West Glacier Region.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM MST this afternoon
     Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

     Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through late Thursday
     night Potomac/Seeley Lake Region.

ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 8 PM MST Thursday Eastern Lemhi
     County...Western Lemhi County.

     Winter Storm Watch from this afternoon through Saturday morning
     Northern Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater
     Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon Northern
     Clearwater Mountains...Southern Clearwater Mountains.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Thursday Lower Hells
     Canyon/Salmon River Region...Orofino/Grangeville Region.

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 winter storm, 2 winter weather, 2 avalanche. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Butte / Blackfoot Region

When: January 5, 7:20 AM MST to January 7, 1:00 PM MST
Where: Butte / Blackfoot Region forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 46.306, -113.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Periods of moderate to heavy snow fell, ranging from near 8 inches at both Philipsburg and Butte, to 14 inches at both 7 miles west of Anaconda, and in Ovando. Severe driving conditions were hoisted near daybreak on the 5th between Anaconda and Warm Springs. Interstate 90 was closed for a period between Butte and Whitehall on the morning of the 6th due to several tractor trailers that had slid off the road. Road conditions were very slick between Garrison and MacDonald Pass where a plow slid off the roadway during the storm.

Winter Storm, Kootenai/Cabinet Region

When: January 6, 2:00 AM MST to January 7, 10:45 PM 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)

Freezing rain led to severe driving conditions and school closures from Troy to Libby to Marion on US-2. Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall occurred with amounts ranging from 9 inches in Marion, 10 inches Bull Lake, over a foot of snow between Troy and Libby and a whopping 18.5 inches at Troy. Gusty winds between Dickey Lake and Fortine caused drifting snow on US-93. One spotter located in higher terrain above and south of Rexford reported a total snowfall amount of 24 inches.

Winter Storm, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: January 6, 2:53 AM MST to January 7, 11:44 AM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Moderate to heavy snow, amounting between 5 and 10 inches fell initially before changing to freezing rain. Roads became very icy which resulted in multiple vehicle crashes, school closures and delays.

Winter Storm, Lower Clark Fork Region

When: January 6, 3:30 AM MST to January 8, 7:11 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)

Periods of moderate to heavy snow fell early on the 6th which resulted in multiple school closures from St. Regis to Alberton. Heavy snow kept falling in the mountains but changed to freezing rain in the valleys by daybreak on the 7th. Severe driving conditions were reported on Highway 200. Power outages were reported between Thompson Falls and Trout Creek. Snow amounts ranged from 6 to 12 inches in the valleys, 12 inches Haugan, 16 inches Heron and over 2 feet in the mountains.

Winter Weather, West Glacier Region

When: January 6, 4:00 AM MST to January 8, 3:30 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)

Moderate amounts of snow fell within two days and brought 8 to 12 inches of snow from West Glacier to Marias Pass. Montana Department of Transportation hoisted severe driving conditions on US-2 from 5 miles west of Marias Pass to Browning due to blowing and drifting snow from strong southwest winds gusting to 36 mph on the morning of the 7th.

Winter Weather, Flathead/Mission Valleys

When: January 6, 4:00 AM MST to January 7, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.872, -114.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An arctic weather system brought 4 to 8 inches of snow from the Flathead Valley to Polson and 2 to 4 inches of snow in the Mission Valley. This resulted in snow-covered roads and slick travel.

Winter Storm, Bitterroot / Sapphire Mountains

When: January 6, 4:00 AM MST to January 8, 8:50 AM 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)

Over 2 feet of heavy, wet snow fell at both Lolo Pass, and south of Conner to Lost Trail Pass, and caused hazardous road conditions. Heavy snowfall increased the avalanche risk which resulted in the closure of US-12 west of Lolo Pass for a total of 3 days. Severe driving conditions were reported on US-12 between Lolo and Lolo Pass for 3 hours on the morning of the 8th.

Winter Storm, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: January 6, 4:00 AM MST to January 7, 5:30 PM MST
Where: Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In the first part of the storm, 9 to 15 inches of heavy snow fell, and disrupted travel. The snow changed to freezing rain by the 7th which created icy, and severe driving conditions. Facebook reports mentioned that a multi-vehicle pile-up stopped traffic near Clinton on Interstate 90 during the morning of the 7th.

Avalanche, Lower Clark Fork Region

When: January 7, 12:00 PM MST to January 8, 11:00 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)

Multiple avalanches occurred on Interstate 90 with full blockage of the driving lane on the westbound side from mile-markers 7.5 to 10, situated west of Saltese. Estimating from the MDT photo, the largest slide was 5 feet tall and between 100 to 300 feet wide. The westbound lanes were closed the following night due to further avalanche risk.

Avalanche, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When: January 7, 3:00 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)

Highway 200 was blocked by an avalanche just east of Bonner at mile marker 3. The dimensions were approximately 100 feet wide by 5 feet high.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Avalanche: A mass of snow sliding down a mountainside that caused a death, an injury or damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, January 2022

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1004344, 1004321, 1004332, 1004327, 1004322, 1004323, 1004338, 1004339, 1004330, 1004341.