Cold air was trapped in the valleys of western Montana as a strong Pacific storm system moved over the region. This system had abundent moisture with waves of energy moving across western Montana. The weather associated with this system covered a wide range of types, from freezing rain to heavy snow and a mixture of rain and snow, along with another blast of freezing rain.

Winter Storm in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 07:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell was closed from 7 am until 12 pm because of freezing rain.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 08:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow was reported 15 miles southeast of Tarkio, the spotter measured 6 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 08:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

At Trout Creek a spotter measured 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 09:00:00 to 13-JAN-11 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Lolo Pass received 15 inches of snow and Lost trail pass received between 8 to 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 10:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

From West Glacier to Marias Pass, Highway 2 received 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe driving conditions was declared on Highway 2 leading up to Marias Pass.

Winter Storm in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 17:30:00 to 12-JAN-11 20:50:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe driving conditions were declared on US-93 from Stevensville to Missoula milepost 66.9 due to freezing rain.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 06:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter 16 miles south of Troy Montana measured 10 inches of snowfall.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 06:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 23:58:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The road from Bull lake to Troy Montana was snow covered with 4 to 6 inches of new snow.
Montana highway 37 from Libby to Eureka Montana received 3 to 5 inches of new snow.
Highway 2 from the Idaho state line to 11 miles east of Troy received 4 to 6 inches.
US highway 93 from 10 miles north of Kalispell to Stryker received 5 inches of new snow, then from Stryker to the Canadian border 3 to 5 inches of snow fell.

Winter Storm in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 22:00:00 to 13-JAN-11 06:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Severe driving conditions due to freezing rain and black ice declared on US-93 from Lolo to Conner and also along the eastside highway from Florence to Hamilton.
Multiple schools were closed or the opening was delayed in the Bitterroot Valley.
Missoula International Airport received freezing rain for 2 hours.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 08:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

At Essex the BNSF snow safety reported 8 inches of new snow at 6300 feet.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 08:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 18:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotter measured 6 inches of snow at Saint Regis.

Winter Storm in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 06:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Columbia Falls spotter measured 7.5 inches of snow and also received freezing rain for 2 hours.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 06:00:00 to 12-JAN-11 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow was reported 5 miles southeast of Yaak Montana, where a spotter measures 7 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-JAN-11 08:00:00 to 13-JAN-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow measured over 24 hour period 7.0 inches, reported from 8 miles northwest of Eureka.