Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Lower Clark Fork Region, Montana

2022-12-22 · Lower Clark Fork Region, Montana

Event narrative

Wind chills reached 31 below in Thompson Falls and as low as 41 below in the mountains (Mullan Pass). Temperatures fell between 15 and 27 below.

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 1063132. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.