Heavy Rain — Mineral, Montana

2017-02-09 · near St Regis, Mineral, Montana

Event narrative

Ponding water up to 3 feet deep near Saltese, MT on I-90 lead the Montana Dept. of Transportation to close the roadway for much of the day. Antecedent heavy low-elevation snow allowed for this event, as water was unable to drain off the sides of the road. After plows cut breaks in the snow berms, ponding decreased. Roads were reopened during the evening.

Wider weather episode

A warm and moist southwest flow pattern set up over the Northern Rockies during the second week of February. Significant rain and warming temperatures combined with the abundant low elevation snow to cause widespread ponding and flooding in fields and on roadways. The Bitterroot Valley near Corvallis, MT saw the most widespread areal flooding. Interstate 90 was also impacted for several hours as water ponded to a depth of 3 feet in a low spot on the roadway near Saltese, MT.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (47.3000, -115.1000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 682529. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.