Winter Weather — Jefferson, Montana

2019-10-09 · Jefferson, Montana

Event narrative

Public report 14 W Whitehall estimated snowfall 13.5 inches.

Wider weather episode

A well advertised cold front moves across the western Hi-Line area. Gusty westerly winds ahead of the front remain below warning criteria, resulting in the cancellation of the High Wind Warning for the Northern Rocky Mountain front and adjacent plains. Front continues dropping southward, reaching the Great Falls area between 8 and 9 AM, then moving into the Helena area around 11 AM to noon, and into the Bozeman area by late afternoon. Gusty west winds to shift more northerly along with quick drop in temperatures, with frontal passage. Most areas across the north and central observe high temperatures in the morning, with some near normal daytime highs in the southwest. Widespread precipitation expected lagging the front by a couple of hours for some areas. Precipitation begins as rain for a period before switching over to snow. Then, widespread snow Tuesday night through the day Wednesday. Best chances for snow along the Rocky Mountain Front and then from Great Falls to Lewistown and southward. North of this line brief period of snow and little accumulations. The remainder of moderate to brief heavy snow at times with blowing snow in gusty winds. Snow then diminishes later in the day through the evening Wednesday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 858510. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.