Winter Storm — West Glacier Region, Montana

2024-11-20 to 2024-11-25 · West Glacier Region, Montana

Event narrative

Montana Department of Transportation reported about a foot of snow at Java (east of Essex). MDT stated there has been blowing and drifting east of Java, and described the situation as a nightmare for them to keep up the roads the last 36 hours. They were fighting with ice, especially when people pull off in the wet dense snow. This was mainly a problem between West Glacier to Essex, where it has been warmer. They said the worst timeframe for them was November 23 between 4am and 10am MST when precipitation was transitioning from rain to snow. Social media conveyed several reports of motor vehicle accidents, downed trees, and power outages. Flathead Electric reported several thousand without power.

Wider weather episode

A category 4 atmospheric river hit northern California and southwestern Oregon. The remnant moisture brought 1.50 to 3 inches of precipitation to the mountains of the Northern Rockies. Modified arctic air moved into northern Lincoln County, Flathead Valley and in the Glacier National Park region Wednesday night (Nov 20) onwards and allowed for snow to fall in Yaak and Eureka, and also Essex to Marias Pass. Heavy wet snow caused extensive tree damage and power outages. Precipitation periodically changed to freezing rain, adding to the tree damage and causing treacherous travel conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1220430. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.