Montana, 2026

Winter Weather in Montana, February 14 to 15, 2026

February 14 to 15, 2026 · NWS MSO · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Following a period of unseasonably mild temperatures in early February, a pattern change introduced mixed precipitation to the Northern Rockies on February 14th and 15th. Freezing rain and light snow developed across western Montana, creating slick travel conditions throughout the region.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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

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The toll

Deaths
3
Injuries
3
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

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.

Following a period of unseasonably mild temperatures in early February, a pattern change introduced mixed precipitation to the Northern Rockies on February 14th and 15th. Freezing rain and light snow developed across western Montana, creating slick travel conditions throughout the region. Impacts were observed starting the morning of Valentine’s Day and continued through midday on February 15th as precipitation transitioned between rain, snow, and freezing rain.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When
February 14, 4:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where
Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Multiple traffic incidents were reported, including a vehicle rollover on Highway 93 south of Missoula near the Buckhouse Bridge. An additional accident was reported on Highway 93 near Lolo, resulting in a temporary lane closure. Local observers reported heavy snow in the Lolo area at approximately 0700MST, with temperatures hovering near 29 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winter Weather, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region

When
February 14, 7:15 PM MST to February 15, 10:15 AM MST
Where
Potomac / Seeley Lake Region forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 3 indirect
Injuries
0 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
46.986, -113.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

On the morning of February 15, 2026, a head-on collision involving two SUVs occurred on Highway 200 just west of Bear Creek. The accident resulted in three injuries requiring hospitalization and a two-hour closure of the highway. Precipitation totals in the vicinity of the accident ranged from 0.10 to 0.22 inches.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Winter Weather, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region2026-02-14Vehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect
Winter Weather, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region2026-02-14Vehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect
Winter Weather, Potomac / Seeley Lake Region2026-02-14Vehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, February 2026

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: 1314929, 1314932.