Winter Storm — Lower Clark Fork Region, Montana

2025-02-16 to 2025-02-18 · Lower Clark Fork Region, Montana

Event narrative

Very slick roads contributed to multiple accidents, with one that caused multiple injuries. Snow became heavy at times during the evening of the 17th due to banding. Snow amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches along Highway 200, 7 to 12 inches between Alberton to Haugan, and up to 20 inches at Lookout Pass. Chains required on Interstate 90 at 0200 on February 16.

Wider weather episode

Multiple waves of subtropical moisture brought periods of moderate to heavy precipitation, primarily as snowfall across the Northern Rockies. Nightly bouts of black ice, often covered by fresh snow, created extremely slick travel conditions.

Arctic air remained stalled along and just west of the Divide, occasionally pushing westward. These surges intensified snowfall, produced below-zero wind chills, and brought gusty winds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1237607. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.