Heavy Snow — Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Montana

2023-01-26 to 2023-01-28 · Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

A spotter located about 12 miles northeast of Neihart reported an event total snow amount of 30 inches. Their elevation was approximately 6,500 feet. Additionally, SNOTEL automated equipment at Onion Park estimated 11 inches of new snow over 30 hours. 6 inches of snow fell during the first 24 hours. Station elevation was 7,640 feet. SNOTEL automated equipment at Daisy Peak estimated 7 inches of new snow. Station elevation was 7,600 feet. SNOTEL automated equipment at Spur Park estimated 6 inches of new snow over 24 hours. Station elevation was 8,097 feet. A member of the public 7 miles south-southeast of Neihart reported 12 inches of snow.

Wider weather episode

A long duration winter storm event occurred from roughly January 26 through January 28th as a powerful storm system affected much of the western United States. Periods of snow, heavy at times (especially across the mountains) occurred. Event total snow amounts of 5 to 10 inches across area valleys and the Plains were common with upwards of 2 feet of snow falling across portions of area mountains. The snow was followed by a seasonably strong arctic outbreak. Southwest Montana felt the brunt of the arctic airmass with several locations experiencing wind chill values of -40 F or colder (isolated areas having wind chill values of -50 F to -60 F), with isolated locations reaching actual air temperatures of -40 F.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1074765. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.