Heavy Snow in Blackfoot Region, Montana

Strong winter storm hit northwest and west central Montana overnight through the afternoon hours of 12/26 to 12/27. Heavy snowfall was reported by Montana DOT and Snotel sites of 6 to 8 inches in both valleys and mountains of northwest Montana. In west central Montana, Snotel sites recorded heavy snow of 6 inches in the higher mountain valleys, with 7 to 8 inches in the mountains. Snow was accompanied by gusty southwest winds of 15 to 30 mph in the valleys, with a wind gust to 61 mph recorded by the automated weather station at Point Six radar north of Missoula at 156 AM on 12/27.