Winter Storm — Jefferson, Montana

2019-02-24 · Jefferson, Montana

Event narrative

MT DOT reported severe driving conditions along I-90 at Homestake Pass during snowstorm.

Wider weather episode

Multiple shortwave troughs from the Pacific traversed north-central and southwest Montana during February 24th through 26th. Isentropic lift ahead of each shortwave resulted in periods of snow. A surface front near the southwest Montana/Idaho border separated Arctic air to the north from milder air to the south. The front wavered northward and southward through the period. This front served as an additional focus for snow, especially on February 26th, when bands of heavy snow occurred along and just north of the front over southwest Montana. These snow bands then exited southwest Montana to the south and east by the evening of the 26th as the front did the same.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 801659. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.