Winter Weather — Meagher, Montana

2020-02-06 · Meagher, Montana

Event narrative

Reported 7 inches new snow at ski resort. web report. 7 sse Neihart.

Wider weather episode

Satellite imagery reveals a long plume of moisture streaming over a broad eastern Pacific ridge, heading toward the northern Rockies. This moisture passes over the region. A strong northwesterly flow, results in a prolonged period of heavy mountain snowfall for the Central and Southwest Mountains. Mountain snowfall occurs over the Big Belts, Bridger and Madison ranges; this expands in coverage and intensity overnight. One to three feet of new snow expected. There are some nuances to address for lower elevation impacts. As the upper level jet noses over the Northern Rockies, there will be some warming as the ridge drifts further east. Short term model

guidance supports a period of more widespread snow developing in association with this warm front. Thus, expect a trace to a few inches of snow accumulation for the southwest valleys. With rising snow levels and a break in precipitation Thursday afternoon, melting occurs on these interstate corridors. Thus, snowfall totals are below warning criteria, but note that icing could occur Thursday night with additional new snowfall enhancing the icing hazard. NBM temperatures appear to be biased a few degrees too warm for the southwest valleys, so blended towards the lower side of guidance. Following this possible break in snowfall rates, the next embedded shortwave moves through Thursday night into early Friday. This produces a period of moderate to heavy snowfall. Snow expands into portion of North-central Montana as a cold front trails behind this wave.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 874837. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.