Winter Storm — Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

2023-01-27 to 2023-01-28 · Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

SNOTEL automated equipment at Rocker Peak estimated 10 inches of snow over a 24-hour period. 6 inches of snow fell over an 8-hour period. Elevation of the station was 7,857 feet. SNOTEL automated equipment at Tizer Basin estimated 8 inches of snow over a 24-hour period. Elevation of the station was 6,922 feet. SNOTEL automated equipment at Frohner Meadow estimated 12 inches of snow over a 24-hour period. Elevation of the station was 6,627 feet.

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 1074786. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.