Winter Storm — West Glacier Region, Montana

2021-02-05 to 2021-02-07 · West Glacier Region, Montana

Event narrative

Widespread snow, wind, and dangerously low wind chills were observed. Snow amounts generally ranged from 5-14 inches with 22 inches reported near Marias Pass. Easterly wind gusts of 30-40 miles per hour resulted in blowing and drifting snow with wind chills of -15F to -30F at lower elevations and -35F to -55F at higher elevations. Dangerous avalanche conditions developed because of the wind and snow with one avalanche related fatality reported in the Swan Range near Wildcat Lake. This winter storm also created significant challenges for plow crews along US Highway 2.

Wider weather episode

An Arctic cold front came over of the Continental Divide and collided with an atmospheric river of moisture from the Pacific Ocean to produce widespread wintry impacts.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 937870. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.