Several organized and unusually long west-to-east oriented bands of heavy snow developed across north-central Idaho by late afternoon and moved into western Montana by the evening hours on December 7. Snowfall rates of up to 3 inch per hour were reported underneath the bands. Multiple car accidents and slide-offs were also reported during this event.

Heavy Snow in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 16:00:00 to 07-DEC-12 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP observer 2 miles NNE of Missoula reported 8.8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 06-DEC-12 17:00:00 to 07-DEC-12 17:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported heavy snow at MT-2 near Happy's Inn with 4 to 6 inches on the road surface. They estimated 10 to 12 inches fell there in the last 24 hours.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 17:37:00 to 07-DEC-12 19:37:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter from Huson reported heavy snow with visibilities less than one quarter mile while roads were snow-covered. The two hour snowfall total was 3.5 inches.

Heavy Snow in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 11:20:00 to 08-DEC-12 11:20:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A member from the public reported an estimated 24 inches of snow that fell one mile north of Essex. They reported that highway 2 north of Essex was down to one lane on the morning of December 8.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 19:12:00 to 07-DEC-12 22:42:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Montana DOT listed severe driving conditions from Interstate 90 from Tarkio to Frenchtown due to the heavy snow.

Heavy Snow in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 16:02:00 to 08-DEC-12 04:12:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Missoula International airport received 8.1 of snow from the heavy snow showers. In a 35 minute period from 1935 to 2000MST on December 7th, 1.7 inches of snow fell at the Missoula NWS office.

Heavy Snow in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 16:02:00 to 07-DEC-12 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

At 2100MST, the Montana Highway Patrol reported multiple car accidents during the evening across west-central Montana due to heavy snow causing slick roads and reduced visibilities. At one point, an eastbound section of Interstate 90 shut down west of Missoula.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 16:02:00 to 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

At2100 MST, the Montana Highway Patrol reported multiple car accidents during the evening along Interstate 90 west of Missoula due to heavy snow causing slick roads and reduced visibilities. At one point, an eastbound section of Interstate 90 was temporarily closed.

Heavy Snow in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 07-DEC-12 17:00:00 to 07-DEC-12 22:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter 5 miles southeast of Creston called to report 8 inches of snow that fell mainly between 1800 and 2230MST. They also reported that the heaviest snow amounts fell east of Highway 35 from the Many Lakes Rd. south to just north of Bigfork. The roads were snow-covered and very slick.