Winter Weather — West Glacier Region, Montana

2025-11-27 to 2025-11-28 · West Glacier Region, Montana

Event narrative

Montana Department of Transportation in West Glacier reported 6 to 8 inches, with high amounts in isolated areas. He said they had a little bit of wind, with gusts around 30 mph, with a little blowing and drifting.

Wider weather episode

An Arctic cold front moved into the Marias Pass area between 2200 MST Thanksgiving evening to midnight, and caused temperatures to plummet into the teens with gusty northeast winds. As an upper level trough dug southeastwards towards southern Idaho, the Arctic air began to move more on Friday morning the 28th. Flash freezing of the roads impacted areas east of Missoula and also north to the Mission Valley, which contributed to several motor vehicle accidents. Strong frontogenesis occurred east of Missoula through the Highway 200 corridor, where over 1 inch per hour snowfall rates occurred. The Arctic air began to move down Evaro Hill towards the Missoula airport after 0800 MST Friday morning. Thursday night was mild which kept temperatures up, and also the antecedent warm ground conditions, thanks to a record warm November, probably contributed to the snow melting. Below zero temperatures were reported Saturday morning along the Continental Divide.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1296815. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.