Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Montana, February 18 to 22, 2023

Name: Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Montana, February 18 to 22, 2023
Start: 2023-02-18T08:00
End: 2023-02-22T22:00
Location: Montana

February 18 to 22, 2023 · NWS TFX · 34 events in 19 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 34 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: 6
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 34

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 strong storm system resulted in a long duration snow event which was the heaviest across the Little Belt Mountains and Rocky Mountain Front. Area valleys and portions of the plains experienced blustery winds and a few inches of snow. The worst travel impacts occurred in Madison County where multiple vehicle incidents and a few injuries occurred.

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 Great Falls, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 18, 5:31 AM MST, 2 hours 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 18, 5:31 AM MST, 2 hours 29 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 heavy snow, 13 high wind, 5 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains

When: February 18, 8:00 AM MST to February 20, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 46.398, -111.485 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Elk Peak estimated an event total of 11 inches of snow. 9 inches fell within the first 24 hours of the event.

Heavy Snow, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains

When: February 19, 5:00 AM MST to February 20, 5:00 AM MST
Where: Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 45.325, -111.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Brackett Creek estimated a 24 hour snow total of 12 inches.

Heavy Snow, Snowy and Judith Mountains

When: February 19, 8:00 AM MST to February 20, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Snowy and Judith Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 47.264, -109.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Crystal Lake estimated 10 inches of snow over a 14 hour period, at an elevation of 6,213 feet.

Winter Storm, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains

When: February 19, 8:00 AM MST to February 20, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Little Belt and Highwood Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 47.208, -110.733 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High impact and heavy snow event. Several SNOTEL sites across the Little Belts estimated 20 to 24 inches of snow falling over a 24 hour period. A local ski resort was unable to open for business due to the heavy snow. All roads and highways in the area were closed.

Heavy Snow, Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine

When: February 19, 11:00 AM MST to February 20, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 48.314, -109.835 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Rocky Boy estimated an event total of 13 inches of snow at an elevation of 4,730 feet.

Winter Storm, East Glacier Park Region

When: February 19, 6:00 PM MST to February 21, 8:00 AM MST
Where: East Glacier Park Region forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 48.467, -112.610 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Many Glacier estimated 20 inches of snow. Equipment at Badger Pass estimated an event total of 20 inches of snow that fell over a 36 hour period, at an elevation of 7,010 feet.

Heavy Snow, Snowy and Judith Mountains

When: February 19, 6:00 PM MST to February 20, 6:00 PM MST
Where: Snowy and Judith Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 47.264, -109.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

COOP Observer located about 11 miles south/southeast of Lewistown recorded 10.3 inches of snow over a 24 hour period.

Heavy Snow, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap

When: February 19, 7:00 PM MST to February 20, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Judith Basin County and Judith Gap forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 47.155, -109.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

COOP observer in Stanford reported an event total snow amount of 7.4 inches.

Heavy Snow, Fergus County Below 4500ft

When: February 19, 8:00 PM MST to February 20, 8:19 AM MST
Where: Fergus County Below 4500ft forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.264, -109.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trained spotter reports 6 inches new snow over approximately 12 hours. The spotter reported snow was still falling heavily at the time. Start time was estimated by radar.

Heavy Snow, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When: February 19, 9:00 PM MST to February 21, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 47.480, -112.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Waldron estimated an event total of 14 inches of snow, with 8 inches falling over a 24 hour period.

Heavy Snow, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains

When: February 20, 12:00 AM MST to February 21, 1:00 AM MST
Where: Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.325, -111.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter located about 10 miles south/southwest of Pony, and at an elevation of about 6,000 ft, had an event total snow amount of 12 inches.

Heavy Snow, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When: February 20, 1:00 AM MST to February 21, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 47.480, -112.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Dupuyer Creek estimated an event total of 15 inches of snow, with 14 inches falling over a 24 hour period.

Heavy Snow, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When: February 20, 2:00 AM MST to February 21, 11:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 47.480, -112.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Copper Camp estimated an event total of 20 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Southern Rocky Mountain Front

When: February 20, 3:00 AM MST to February 21, 7:00 AM MST
Where: Southern Rocky Mountain Front forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 47.480, -112.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Automated equipment at Mount Lockhart estimated an event total of 15 inches of snow, with 13 inches falling over a 24 hour period.

High Wind, Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft

When: February 20, 4:15 AM MST to 11:00 PM MST
Where: Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station mtm14 blm Argenta measured two gusts of 58 mph or greater, inclduing a peak gust of 60 mph.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Toole and Liberty

When: February 20, 7:00 AM MST to February 21, 7:00 AM MST
Where: Eastern Toole and Liberty forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 48.609, -111.360 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two CoCoRaHS stations in northeast Liberty County reported a 24 hour total of 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Southern High Plains

When: February 20, 8:00 AM MST to 7:00 PM MST
Where: Southern High Plains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 47.480, -112.315 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter located about 17 miles west/southwest of Bynum had an event total snow amount of 14 inches. 11 inches during Winter Storm Warning.

High Wind, Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft

When: February 20, 9:30 AM MST
Where: Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station mtm16 6.6 miles north of Dell measured a lone 58 mph gust.

High Wind, Madison River Valley

When: February 20, 8:51 PM MST to 9:51 PM MST
Where: Madison River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 36 kt (41 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.301, -111.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station MTNOR Norris Hill measured sustained winds averaging 42 mph for an hour.

High Wind, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains

When: February 20, 10:45 PM MST to February 21, 5:15 AM MST
Where: Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.325, -111.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station ntn17 BLM - Virginia City measured multiple gusts in excess of 58 mph, including a 61 mph gust.

High Wind, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains

When: February 20, 10:45 PM MST to February 21, 5:15 AM MST
Where: Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.325, -111.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station mtm17 Virginia City measured two gusts in excess of 58 mph, including a peak gust of 61 mph.

Heavy Snow, Hill County

When: February 20, 11:00 PM MST to February 21, 11:00 AM MST
Where: Hill County forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 48.628, -110.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Official observer at Havre Airport reported 6.8 inches of snow over a 12 hour period.

Heavy Snow, Northern Blaine County

When: February 20, 11:00 PM MST to February 21, 11:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Blaine County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 48.433, -108.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

COOP observer located near Chinook reported an event total snow amount of 6 inches. A COOP observer located 21 miles north of Rudyard reported an event total snow amount of 8 inches. The official observer located 11 miles north of Turner reported an event total amount of 7.2 inches.

High Wind, Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft

When: February 20, 11:15 PM MST
Where: Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station mtm18 6.8 miles se of Melrose measured a lone 59 mph gust.

High Wind, Cascade County Below 5000ft

When: February 21, 12:45 AM MST
Where: Cascade County Below 5000ft forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.308, -111.347 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station MTM76 measured a lone gust to 60 mph.

High Wind, Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains

When: February 21, 1:05 AM MST
Where: Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station Harkness RAWS (HRKM8) measured a lone gust of 78 mph.

High Wind, Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains

When: February 21, 1:47 AM MST
Where: Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station Brenner RAWS (BRRM8) measured a lone gust of 61 mph.

High Wind, Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains

When: February 21, 1:59 AM MST
Where: Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station Antelope RAWS (LMRM8) measured a lone gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Northwest Beaverhead County

When: February 21, 4:16 AM MST
Where: Northwest Beaverhead County forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.133, -112.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station WRSM8 Wise River RAWS measured a lone gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton

When: February 21, 5:14 AM MST
Where: Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 48.033, -112.233 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Via Ambient Weather.

High Wind, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton

When: February 21, 5:14 AM MST
Where: Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 48.033, -112.233 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An Ambient Weather sensor measured a lone gust of 60 mph.

Winter Storm, Madison River Valley

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Madison River Valley forecast zone
Injuries: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.301, -111.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Near blizzard conditions resulted in a 3-vehicle non-injury accident on MT Highway 287 in Sheridan at mile marker 35.5, reported at 9:38. Multi-car pile-up reported at 16:02 at mile marker 37 on MT Highway 287 in Sheridan. Ten vehicles were involved, and a loaded school bus was stuck in the chaos. There were six ambulatory patients. Conditions were blizzard-like, with little to no visibility. The temperature with wind chill was approximately -37. Victims were escorted to a local church to speak with Montana Highway Patrol and evaluated by EMTs. Some vehicles were left in the ditches until the weather improved for them to be removed safely. Throughout the evening and the following day, there were additional slide-offs. Two minutes after the 10-car pile-up report, another incident at mile marker 1 MT Highway 84 in Norris occurred on the opposite side of the county, reported at 16:04. This incident involved two vehicles, one of which was a school vehicle carrying numerous children. No reported injuries were involved, but road and weather conditions were terrible and deteriorating quickly.

Winter Storm, Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft

When: February 22, 12:00 AM MST to 10:00 PM MST
Where: Beaverhead and Western Madison Below 6000ft forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.217, -112.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large portion of Interstate 15, south of Dillon, closed due to significant blowing of snow and poor road conditions.

Winter Storm, Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains

When: February 22, 8:00 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
Where: Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.325, -111.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Gallatin County DES urged public not to travel if unnecessary due to significant drifting of snow on area roadways and snow plows unable to keep up with clearing the road.

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Montana in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, February 2023

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: 1078051, 1078050, 1078052, 1078053, 1078055, 1078035, 1078054, 1092076, 1080426, 1078045, 1078049, 1078036, 1078047, 1078041, 1073967, 1078058, 1078048, 1073968, 1071934, 1071932, 1073972, 1078056, 1092071, 1073973, 1071931, 1073969, 1073970, 1073971, 1071929, 1071938, 1073974, 1078057, 1080848, 1080850.