An unseasonably strong upper level low lifted out of the Great Basin on October 11th spreading a swath of heavy wet snow across northeast Montana.   The combination of heavy wet snow on several trees that had yet to lose their leaves created numerous power outages, small fires from the power lines arcing and broken tree limbs.  The slow movement of this low pressure system resulted in significant early season snowfall accumulations throughout most of the region with a record daily maximum snowfall for October having occurred in Glasgow. The majority of the reports were from 6 to 12 inches, with a few higher reports, including 16 inches in the Larb Hills southwest of Hinsdale, and 18 on the top of Big Sheep Mountain northwest of Terry.

Heavy Snow in RICHLAND, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 20:35:00 to 12-OCT-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall total of 10 inches was estimated 18 miles northwest of Sidney.  Most reports were from 5 to 10 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in DANIELS, MONTANA
From 12-OCT-08 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ten inches of snowfall was measured four miles northwest of Scobey.  Most reports in the county ranged from 5 to 10 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in WIBAUX, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 19:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Fifteen inches of snow was measured 13 miles northwest of Carlyle.  The remainder of the county reported 6 to 12 inches of snowfall, including 10 inches 2 miles east of Wibaux.

Heavy Snow in DAWSON, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 17:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totals of 5 to 14 inches of snow were reported throughout the county.  Glendive had 5 inches of snow.   Additionally, two to three inches of slush were reported on Highway 254.  Poor road conditions resulted in eight cows being struck and killed by a truck traveling north on Highway 200 around mile marker 18. This happened Saturday evening on the 11th, also 2 more cows may need to be put down due to their injuries. The estimated value of each cow was $685.00 each.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 21:26:00 to 13-OCT-08 04:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Storm total snowfall of 13.0 inches was measured at the NWS office in Glasgow.  The highest report was 16 inches 4 miles southwest of Hinsdale.  Most reports were in the 7 to 14 inch range across this portion of the county.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 23:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total snowfall was measured at 12 inches five miles south of Opheim. Most areas reported 6 to 12 inches of snowfall with this event.

Heavy Snow in SHERIDAN, MONTANA
From 12-OCT-08 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall total of 6.8 inches was measured 0.6 miles west of Plentywood and 7.1 inches at Homestead. Most reports in the county ranged from 3 to 7 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL AND SE PHILLIPS, MONTANA
From 12-OCT-08 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall of ten inches was measured at Content.  Snowfall totals throughout this portion of the county were 5 to 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 12-OCT-08 03:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall of seven inches was estimated one mile south-southeast of Zortman.  The Little Rockies had reports of snowfall from 4 to 7 inches.

Heavy Snow in GARFIELD, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 19:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Six to eighteen inches of snowfall were reported throughout Garfield County.  This was opening weekend of antelope hunting season, and some hunters became temporarily stranded along the Charles M. Russell Wildlife refuge.  The heaviest snow was 16 inches 3 miles northwest of Brusett.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN ROOSEVELT, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 22:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall of six inches was measured 17 miles north of Brockton.  Most reports were in the range of 4 to 6 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN ROOSEVELT, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 22:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Bredette has a storm total snowfall of 6.5 inches of snow.  Most snowfall reports were in the 4 to 6 inch range.

Heavy Snow in MCCONE, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 19:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Five to ten inches of snowfall were reported throughout McCone County during the event.

Heavy Snow in PRAIRIE, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 15:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An estimated total snowfall of 18 inches occurred 25 miles northwest of Terry along the Big Sheep Mountains.  At lower elevations, 4 to 8 inches of snow were reported.

Heavy Snow in PETROLEUM, MONTANA
From 11-OCT-08 19:00:00 to 12-OCT-08 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall of 12 inches was measured one miles east-southeast of Winnett.  Overall the county saw from 6 to 12 inches of snowfall during the event.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN PHILLIPS, MONTANA
From 12-OCT-08 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-08 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall of 7.5 was reported in Whitewater.