Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — West Glacier Region, Montana

2022-12-21 to 2022-12-22 · West Glacier Region, Montana

Event narrative

Widespread wind chills of 40 to 55 below zero were observed. Snowslip Mountain in Glacier National Park recorded a wind chill of 70 below zero. Temperatures fell to 49 below at Marias Pass, 47 below in Polebridge, 36 below in Hungry Horse, and 34 below in West Glacier.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level jet and Pacific moisture combined with arctic air stalled over northwest Montana, led to multiple hours of heavy snow rates and difficult travel. Strong arctic winds brought wind chills down to 70 below zero along the Divide and dangerous wind chills across western Montana. A flash freeze and blowing snow were observed across west-central Montana when the arctic cold front pushed through overnight. As skies cleared, extreme cold to 50 below zero were observed along the Divide.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1063131. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.