Cold/Wind Chill — Blackfoot Region, Montana

2004-01-05 to 2004-01-06 · Blackfoot Region, Montana

Wider weather episode

As skies cleared and winds diminished behind a strong arctic cold front, record cold temperatures were experienced across all of western Montana. On both the 5th and 6th of January, minimum temperatures dropped to 20 to 50 degrees below zero. The Polebridge and Libby areas in northwest Montana, experienced the coldest readings with minimums of 42 to 50 degrees below zero on both the 5th and 6th. Water pipes in portions of northwest Montana froze and/or broke from the extreme cold. Discovery Ski Resort in southwest Montana closed for the day on the 5th due to extreme cold temperatures. Numerous automobiles had to be jump started. Official record lows on the 5th and 6th included: Eureka, 35 below zero on the 5th, and 31 below zero on the 6th; Olney, 34 below zero on the 5th; Polebridge, 45 below zero on the 5th; Hamilton, 28 below zero on the 5th; Anaconda, 27 below zero on the 5th, and 28 below zero on the 6th; Drummond, 36 below zero on the 5th; and Seeley Lake, 40 below zero on the 6th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5382154. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.