Winter Storm in Blackfoot Region, Montana

The combination of warm Pacific moisture clashing with cold arctic air spilling over the Continental Divide, produced dangerous winter weather conditions over portions of western Montana. As the cold air spilled over the Continental Divide from late evening of the 24th through the early morning hours of the 25th, temperatures dropped into the single digits with wind gusts from the east up to 30 MPH in the West Glacier Region. Wind chill temperatures also fell to 15 degrees below zero. 24 hour storm total snowfall in the West Glacier and Blackfoot Regions ranged from 6 inches in the valleys up to 11 inches in the mountains. The Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains received 8 to 10 inches of new snow. During the day of the 25th, heavy snow fell along the I-90 corridor and Highway 93 near Missoula, causing numerous automobile accidents from icy, slick roads. Near East Missoula, a 10 vehicle accident occurred. Portions of I-90 and Highway 93 were temporarily closed with emergency travel only for several hours during the afternoon, due to poor visibility in heavy snow and very slick roads.