Heavy Snow — Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, Montana

2024-10-17 to 2024-10-18 · Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains, Montana

Event narrative

Snotel equipment at Shower Falls estimated 9 inches new snow.

Wider weather episode

A splitting trough resulted in a period of heavy snow across the high terrain of Madison and Gallatin counties late Oct 17 into the 18th. Further, as the trough pulled away, a secondary wave diving SE from BC resulted in strong cross barrier flow, ridgetop stability and hence strong wind gusts across the plains adjacent to the Rocky Mountain Front. A strong pressure gradient also helped stronger gusts occur near the Rocky Mountain Front.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1211497. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.