Little Belt and Highwood Mountains storm history

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT) measured a 59 mph gust.

A few sensors measured gusts in excess of 58 mph or sustained winds of 40 mph averaged over at last an hour, including RAWS station SFJM8 South Fork Judith, and mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT), and MTKIH Kings Hill Pass (MT DOT). The peak gust observed was 74 mph at…

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon and RAWS station SFJM8 South Fork Judith measured gusts in excess of 58 mph, including a peak gust of 63 mph at Monarch Canyon.

MT DOT sensors at Monarch Canyon and Kings Hill Pass both measured gusts in excess of 58 mph, including a peak of 66 mph at Monarch Canyon.

Showdown Ski area reported 9 inches total event snow over several daily summary reports for snowfall.

Estimated 10 inches of snowfall in 24 hours from the Showdown Ski Resort's snowboard webcam. There is a little uncertainty on the estimation of the start time from the rain to snow transition.

Snotel equipment at Onion Park estimated 9 inches new snow. This was an isolated instance of snow of 9 inches.

Showdown ski area reported 11 inches new snow over 24 hours, with most falling overnight into the 1st. Criteria time estimated.

Mesonet sensor MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT) measured two gusts of 58 mph or greater, including a 61 mph gust.

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT) measured a -35F wind chill.

Showdown ski area reported 11 inches storm total snow.

Three Snotels (Spur Park, Stringer Creek, and Onion Park) all measured an estimated 9 or 10 inches new snow for the event. Showdown Ski area reported a storm total of 17 inches.

Two sensors measured wind chills of -35F or less, including mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT), which measured a -37F wind chill.

A report of 22 inches new snow for the event was received from Showdown Ski area. Additionally, a trained spotter 2 miles SSE of Monarch reported a foot of new snow mid way through the event.

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT) measured two gusts of 60 mph.

USFS reports 10 inches new snow on average from the late PM of Dec 8 into th emorning of the 9th. Additionally, Snotel equipment at Stringer Creek, as well as a public report from Showdown Montana reported new snow of or in excess of 9 inches over the same timeframe.

Multiple Snotels in the Little Belts, including Spur Park, Stringer Creek, Onion Park, and Deadman Creek estimated snow in excess of 9 inches. The peak Snotel estimate was 27 inches at Stringer Creek, with Onion Park not far behind at 24 inches. A trained spotter 4 miles north of…

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon (MT DOT) measured a gust of 72 mph.

Webcam at Showdown Ski Area showed around 4 inches total snowfall. Start time estimated.

MT DOT sensor at Monarch Canyon showed visibility at or below one-quarter mile for at least 7 hours (Power failed at that point). US-89 was closed from Armington Junction to White Sulphur Springs early morning May 8. The Onion Park Snotel estimated 28 inches new snow with rates o…

Snotel equipment at Onion Park estimated 9 inches new snow.

Snotel equipment at Spur Park measured 10 inches storm total snow over 24 hours. Additionally, Showdown Ski area measured 10 inches new snow over 24 hours. Given warm pavement temperatures, less intense snow than across Fergus County, and the limited spatial extent of snow reachi…

Mesonet station PHYM8 Porphory Peak RAWS reported a wind chill of -42F. Winter Storm Warning was in effect at the time of the observation.

Mesonet station MTMON Monarch Canyon. Wind Chill of -64F.

Department of Highways measured 59 mph wind gust near 3 NNE Monarch.

Three reports of storm total snow of 9 inches or greater were received for the Little Belts. The first report was from SNOTEL equipment at Spur Park, which estimated 9 inches storm total snow. There were two additional public reports, one from Neihart and another from Showdown Mo…

COOP observer located seven miles south of Shonkin had an event total snow amount of 33 inches. Multiple Snotel sites reported snow exceeding 10 inches, including snotel equipment at Stinger Creek which estimated 22 inches storm total. Snotels at Onion Park and Spur Peak also rep…

The COOP observer located about seven miles south of Shonkin had an event total snow amount of 17 inches. In addition, automate SNOTEL equipment at Onion Park estimated 7 inches new snow in 12 hours ending 8AM MDT 4/13. An additional public report of 11 inches storm total snow wa…

Onion Park and Spur Park SNOTEL sites both received 8 inches of snow for event totals. Elevation of sites are 7,640 and 8,097 feet, respectively.

Two sensors measured wind chills of -40 F or less, including the S Fork Judith RAWS (SFJM8) and MTMON Monarch Canyon. The minimum was measured by the RAWS and was -44 F.

High impact and heavy snow event. Several SNOTEL sites across the Little Belts estimated 20 to 24 inches of snow falling over a 24 hour period. A local ski resort was unable to open for business due to the heavy snow. All roads and highways in the area were closed.

A minimum wind chill of -44 F was measured by the Judith Basin RAWS site, located about 12 miles NNE of Checkerboard.

A spotter located about 12 miles northeast of Neihart reported an event total snow amount of 30 inches. Their elevation was approximately 6,500 feet. Additionally, SNOTEL automated equipment at Onion Park estimated 11 inches of new snow over 30 hours. 6 inches of snow fell during…

Multiple sensors measured wind chills of less than -40 F, including the DOT sensor near Monarch (MTMON) which measured a minimum wind chill of -57 F.

Public reports 10 inches new snow over a 24 hour period. Most fell during the morning and afternoon.

Trained spotter reported 63 mph wind gust 7 SW Highwood.

Social Media post of 12 to 18 inches snow accumulation at Showdown Montana Ski Area. Additional snotels in the area reported reported 8 to 12 inches new snow for this storm.