Lower Clark Fork Region storm history

Several crashes and slide-offs were reported along Interstate 90. Two of the crashes had unknown injuries. The COOP observer in Alberton measured 1.3 inches of snow.

Snow intensity became heavy at Lookout Pass by the afternoon but decreased by late evening. The combination of wet roads re-freezing at sunset, falling snow, and rain likely contributed to very slick conditions and a double fatality(indirect) on Evaro Hill. A semi-truck jackknife…

Freezing fog led to ice formation on area roadways. Icy roads were likely a contributing factor to a three vehicle collision on Highway 93 near Evaro. The crash resulted in five injuries and two fatalities.

Very heavy snow caused difficult travel along Interstate 90 and Thompson Pass. Multiple semitrucks became stuck near Lookout Pass because of the deep snow. The Lookout Pass SNOTEL recorded 16 inches of snow depth increase with 2.70 inches of snow water equivalent during this even…

A little bit before 4 am MDT, five semi-tractor trailers and one SUV crashed into each other at the bridge near the Quartz Flat Campground on Interstate 90 due to icy road conditions. As a result, two men in their 30s passed away while three other men were injured. The road condi…

Lookout Pass received 15 inches of snow within 12 hours and this created hazardous conditions. Montana Department of Transportation closed I-90 for 6 hours from 1 am to 5 am MST.

Snow Squall conditions developed along the Interstate 90 corridor extending from Lookout Pass to St. Regis. Lookout Pass enacted a chains required restriction for towing units at 2117MST. Severe travel impacts with poor visibility and life-threatening driving conditions were subs…

Light wintry precipitation, including probable freezing rain, led to slick travel along Interstate 90 west of Alberton and near St. Regis. Additionally, a hazardous layer of black ice formed on the Highway 200 bypass between Thompson Falls and Plains, causing vehicles to slide an…

As conditions rapidly deteriorated on the afternoon of December 18, highway officials issued a chains required restriction at 1530MST. Just fifteen minutes later, at 1545MST, a semi-truck spun out in the hazardous conditions, completely blocking the westbound lanes of the highway…

Extreme gusts battered Sanders and Mineral Counties on December 17, with peak wind reports including 69 mph at 0800MST at the Plains AWOS and 57 mph at the Thompson Falls RAWS. The dangerous conditions prompted an urgent Do Not Travel alert from the Community Ambulance Service of…

Between 12 and 18 inches of snow fell in the mountains and at Lookout Pass. The Montana Department of Transportation required chains at Lookout Pass. Other snow amounts include 1.5 inches at Heron and 3.6 inches near Trout Creek.

Snowfall totals of 2 to 5 inches created icy and hazardous conditions across the region. At Lookout Pass, a crash was reported at 1518MST, with webcams showing vehicle slide-offs by 1630MST. Chains were required at the pass by 1650MST. Later that evening, a crash blocked both eas…

The Heron COOP observer reported significant limb damage and one fallen tree. The utility company reported 259 customers without power during the early evening hours.

Periods of heavy snow fell at and around Lookout Pass in the mid-afternoon on the 21st, causing a full full blockage of Interstate 90 due to accidents and stuck vehicles. Periodic road closures continued through the morning of the 22nd with reports of 9 to 10 hours wait times for…

Very slick roads contributed to multiple accidents, with one that caused multiple injuries. Snow became heavy at times during the evening of the 17th due to banding. Snow amounts ranged from 6 to 9 inches along Highway 200, 7 to 12 inches between Alberton to Haugan, and up to 20 …

Snowfall amounts generally ranged between 1 and 2 inches, except near Heron, where a report of 3.5 inches was received.

Low temperatures ranged from the single digits below zero down to 17 below, with the coldest reading reported at 17 below in Plains. The lowest wind chill was 22 below in Thompson Falls on the 12th, due to a stiff easterly gap wind of 10 to 20 mph.

The Montana Department of Transportation reported multiple incidents along Interstate 90 west of Superior. Ten to fourteen inches of snow were reported, including: 8-10' Plains, 12' St. Regis, 14' in Ninemile, 9' Trout Creek, and 8' at Lookout Pass. School closures on February 5 …

Multiple reports of icy roads and driveways were received due to the freezing rain. MDT hoisted severe driving conditions for Highway 135. One person reported that the road was a sheet of ice, with multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck, losing control.

Multiple reports of icy roads, and driveways due to the freezing rain. MDT hoisted severe driving conditions for Highway 135. A person reported that it was a sheet of ice with multiple cars losing control, including a semi-truck that had crossed the center line and ended up in th…

Precipitation started as snow then turned to rain and eventually back to snow with slick roadways and multiple accidents on Highway 200 and Interstate 90. Snow amounts were light, generally less than two inches.

There were several reports of icy roads and sidewalks, especially between Trout Creek and Thompson Falls.

At 0048, chain requirements were enacted for Interstate 90 at Lookout Pass as webcams confirmed snow-covered roads. The hazardous conditions were driven by heavy snow, with the KMLP ASOS station above the Lookout Pass summit reporting snowfall rates of approximately one inch per …

Lookout Pass SNOTEL recorded 8' snow depth and 0.70' of snow water equivalent.

Lookout Pass SNOTEL picked up 6 inches of snow in 3 hours.

Morning temperatures ranged from the upper 20s to lower 30s with typical cold spots in the mid 20s. Damage occurred to unprotected sensitive vegetation.

The Alberton COOP reported temperatures ranging from 98 to 102 for eight days straight. Other locations including St. Regis, and Trout Creek reported multiple days of temperatures in the low 100's.

The hottest temperature readings in degrees were as follows: 102 in Alberton, and 101 at Thompson Falls.

From 0.3 to 0.7 inch of snow water equivalent fell, estimated at 2 to 6 inches of snow. Backcountry travel was difficult.

Snow Squall. Heavy snow showers with up to 3 inch per hour rates led to numerous cars and semis in the ditch at Lookout Pass, which caused Interstate 90 to be closed for a period of time.

Snowfall near 7 inches was reported at Lookout Pass by the morning of the 26th, with rates averaging around 0.5 inch per hour. Snow covered roads at times, especially near Lookout Pass. Chains were also required at times over the pass. Lower valleys experienced only light snow am…

Moderate to heavy snowfall occurred, leading to snow covered roads at Lookout Pass. A number of vehicle crashes were reported, while chains were required over the pass for periods of time. Traffic cameras also showed periods of greatly reduced visibility with falling snow.

Light freezing rain fell along the Interstate 90 corridor west of Missoula. Black ice was reported with several car accidents near the Cyr Bridge. Icy conditions also occurred on Highway 200 near Noxon.

A wintry mix caused icy roadways for the morning commute. Alberton schools were delayed 2 hours due to slick conditions.

Flash freezing of roadways developed as 1 to 2 inches of snow fell on already wet roads and temperatures fell into the 20s.

There were two periods of impact for this storm system. During the morning and early afternoon, 06:00 MDT-15:00 MDT, snowfall rates were between 0.25 per hour and 0.50 per hour. Chains were required at Lookout Pass around 08:00 MDT. Another round of snow occurred between 16:30 MD…

Wind chills across the Lower Clark Fork Region were consistently between -10F and -25F for multiple overnight periods.

Heavy snow showers with the Pacific cold front impacted Lookout Pass where chains were required for a period. Heavy snow showers also impacted Evaro Hill and brought low visibility.

Periods of severe driving conditions led to multiple accidents on I-90, especially during the early morning hours of the 28th. General snowfall ranged from 1 to 5 inches.

Widespread freezing rain impacted the Interstate 90 and Highway 200 corridors, where up to a quarter inch of ice accretion was reported. MDT declared severe driving for Interstate 90 between Frenchtown and Lookout Pass.

Wind chills reached 31 below in Thompson Falls and as low as 41 below in the mountains (Mullan Pass). Temperatures fell between 15 and 27 below.

MDT declared severe driving conditions on Interstate 90 from Tarkio to Lookout Pass as snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour were observed. Wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph led to areas of blowing and drifting snow in the mountains. Between 8 to 14 inches of snow fell along the Highwa…

MDT webcams highlighted winter driving conditions from snowfall along the I-90 and Highway 200 corridors near the Idaho and Montana border. 3 to 4 inches of snow was reported in the Trout Creek and Noxon areas, where school was delayed 2 hours on December 19th.

Snow showers brought 1 to 2 inches of snow along the Highway 200 corridor from Plains to the Idaho border.

Heavy snow fell with total amounts up to 18 inches in Heron, 10 inches in Superior, 8 to 10 inches between Dixon and Trout Creek and 5.6 inches in Alberton. Severe driving conditions were hoisted during the early morning hours of Dec. 1 on I-90 from Lookout Pass to milepost 33. S…

Heavy snow fell with total amounts up to 18 inches in Heron, 10 inches in Superior, 8 to 10 inches between Dixon and Trout Creek and 5.6 inches in Alberton. Severe driving conditions were hoisted during the early morning hours of Dec. 1 on I-90 from Lookout Pass to milepost 33. S…

Light to moderate snow showers brought 5 to 6 inches of total snow to Lookout Pass and also along Highway 200 northwest of Thompson Falls.

Lookout Pass received close to 6 inches of snow with 0.50 inches of snow water equivalent. Interstate 90 at the pass was snow-covered during the morning hours.