Blizzard — Sheridan, Montana

1998-02-25 to 1998-02-28 · Sheridan, Montana

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm brought blizzard conditions to eastern Montana. Up to a foot and a half of snow in combination with sustained winds 30 to 40 miles an hour and gusts to 50 mph reduced visibility to zero. Snow drifts ranged between 5 and 12 feet. All roads leading into North Dakota were closed including U.S. Highway 2 and Interstate 94. Sections of these roads were closed for four days. Numerous travellers were stranded. WIth basketball tournaments going on, hotels filled up rapidly and many stranded motorists had to stay at the National Guard Armory in Glendive. Even though roads were closed, several semis tried to negotiate I-94 and ended up jack knifed which lead to a longer time in opening the interstate. Restaurants and stores began running out of food toward the end of the blizzard. There were some cattle loses as this storm hit in the early part of calving season. Miraculously given the number of motorists stranded only one fatality was reported when a 41 year old man left the safe shelter and attempt to walk 26 miles to his home.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5628578. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.