Blizzard — Western Carbon, Montana

2003-12-26 to 2003-12-28 · Western Carbon, Montana

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm affected Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming during a three day period from December 26, 2003 through December 28, 2003. A strong arctic front ushered in colder air across the area as a deep trough moved across Montana. A moist southwest flow aloft moved over this cold airmass at the surface and produced a prolonged period of snow across the area. In addition...a deep surface low moved across Wyoming into South Dakota resulting in strong northerly winds of 25 to 40 mph which produced significant blowing and drifting snow. The following is an extensive list of snowfall and drifting reports:6 inches 10E Baker ; 8 inches with 4-5ft drifts 15N Plevna; 6 inches with 2-3ft drifts 1NNW Baker; 10 inches with 4ft drifts and 50ft visibilities 6NE Albion; 12 inches with 4-5ft drifts 7W Ekalaka; 12-18 inches with 4ft drifts 14E Ashland; 18-24 inches with 4-5ft drifts 5E Lame Deer; 11 inches in Billings; 13 inches in Lockwood; 12 inches with 3ft drifts in Lavina; 7 inches with 2ft drifts and 500 yds visibility 4E Sumatra; 18 inches with 2-4ft drifts and 1/4 mile visibility in Pryor; 6 inches 2S Livingston; 6 inches with 4-6ft drifts in Springdale; 6 inches with 3ft drifts and 100ft visibilities in Melville; 10 inches with 6ft drifts and 100ft visibilities 13E Judith Gap; 13 inches with 4-5ft drifts 2E Ryegate; 8 inches with 3ft drifts 10N Hardin; 8 inches with 2-4ft drifts in Park City; 8 inches with 3ft drifts 11W Billings; 12 inches with 2ft drifts in Joliet; 15 inches with 6ft drifts in Judith Gap; 9 inches with 2-4ft drifts in Broadview; 6 inches with 2-3ft drifts 6N Fort Smith; 6 inches with 2-3ft drifts in Busby; 10 inches and winds 28G53 mph with frequent gusts above 35 mph 15N Pompeys Pillar; 6 inches with 1-2ft drifts 35SE Hardin; 8 inches 13N Roundup; 12 inches with 10ft drifts and zero visibility in Melstone; 6 inches with 1/4 mile visibilities 8SW Biddle; 6 inches in Miles City; 6 inches with frequent wind gusts to 35 mph and 50ft visibilities in Northern Crow Agency; 8 inches 5S Bighorn; 6 inches 2WSW Hardin; 7 inches with 4ft drifts 9NNE Reed Point; 20 inches 5ESE Klein; 10 inches West End Billings in Willshire Heights; 14 inches 5W Red Lodge with 16 inches at the Mountain Summit at 9400ft; 8 inches in Nye.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5328471. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.