Winter Weather in Montana, December 1 to 2, 2025

Snowfall amounts in the valleys ranged from 5 and 6 inches between Hungry Horse Dam and West Glacier, with up to 7 inches at Essex. The mountains received 8 to 12 inches of new snow. Along U.S. Highway 2 between Devil’s Creek and Marias Pass, wind gusts between 30 and 40 mph caused blowing and drifting snow, thereby reducing visibility.

Snow accumulations varied across northwest Montana, with 1 to 2 inches reported in Yaak and heavier amounts between 3 to 5 inches from Libby east to Marion. The Montana Department of Transportation reported severe driving conditions on U.S. Highway 93 from Eureka to Dicky Lake and on Highway 37 west towards Lake Koocanusa.

Snowfall totals of 2 to 5 inches created icy and hazardous conditions across the region. At Lookout Pass, a crash was reported at 1518MST, with webcams showing vehicle slide-offs by 1630MST. Chains were required at the pass by 1650MST. Later that evening, a crash blocked both eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 east of Alberton starting at 2100MST, where road conditions showed ice. Near the Idaho border, a crash blocked both lanes of Montana Highway 200 between mileposts 0 and 2 near Heron at 2253MST.

Snowfall totals generally ranged from 4 to 6 inches. Numerous reports of very slick road conditions were received during the evening commute on December 1, particularly from the Flathead Valley south along the shores of Flathead Lake. At one point, an accident blocked U.S. Highway 93 near Somers due to the icy conditions.

Although snowfall totals were modest, ranging from 1.0 to 1.7 inches in Missoula and less than an inch east of Florence, the societal impact was high due to a rapid transition from wet to icy roads. Early afternoon sunshine had warmed pavement temperatures above freezing, causing the initial snowfall at 1620MST to melt on contact. This created a layer of slush and water that was quickly packed down by heavy rush-hour traffic. As the sun set and temperatures continued to fall, this compacted slush froze into a solid, bonded sheet of ice.

The Missoula City Police Department issued a MEANS alert at 1915MST for emergency travel only due to hazardously icy conditions. By 2016MST, the Missoula County Sheriff's Office alerted drivers to avoid Upper Miller Creek Road as it became impassable. Conditions gradually improved as road crews treated the ice, and emergency travel alerts were lifted by 2314MST.

Snowfall totals across the Potomac and Seeley Lake regions were light, generally ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 inches. While road temperatures at Bonner reached the mid-30s during the afternoon, northwest winds cooled surfaces toward the freezing mark before snow began. Road temperature sensors at Greenough Hill and Bearmouth remained near or below freezing through the afternoon. Because pavement temperatures had stabilized closer to the air temperature, the widespread melt-refreeze cycle seen in lower valleys was avoided. Impacts were limited to scattered slick spots and standard snow-covered surfaces.