Winter Storm in Blackfoot Region, Montana

A reinforcing shot of cold arctic air brought dangerous winter weather conditions to northwest Montana. Arctic air spilled over the Continental Divide during the early morning hours of January 3, with northeast wind gusts between 40 to 50 MPH recorded between Kalispell and Columbia Falls, causing whiteout conditions from blowing snow. Wind Chill temperatures dropped to 25 to 30 degrees below zero, with a wind chill temperature of 52 degrees below zero reported from a weather spotter in Columbia Falls. By 1000 AM, whiteout conditions developed over the Mission Valley south of Flathead Lake, as the arctic front moved southward. Snow drifts of 5 to 7 feet were reported in Columbia Falls and in the Mission Valley. Snowfall totals for the storm were 4 to 8 inches in the valleys, and up to 10 inches in the mountains. Highway 200 between Bonner and Greenough Hill was declared emergency travel only, as well as US-93 in the Mission Valley throughout the day from poor visibility in blowing snow.