A strong upper level jet combined with a plume of moisture from subtropical origins, provided for high snow levels approximately near 7,000 feet, freezing rain in the valleys, slick mountain passes, heavy high mountain snow, avalanche releases and rapid snow melt with minor flooding in the Bitterroot Valley. Strong westerly winds were also felt across portions of Powell and Silver Bow County on Feb. 11.

Winter Weather in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 11-FEB-14 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Peterson Meadows SNOTEL at 7,200 ft. MSL, located 4.6 miles south-southwest of Georgetown Lake reported 5 of total snowfall. A weather spotter reported a period of heavy snow at 8:14 am MST while the Georgetown Lake MT DOT sensor indicated southwest winds gusting up to 34 mph at times.  Light freezing rain with a thin glaze of ice was reported by a weather spotter one mile west-southwest of Deer Lodge at 8:54 am MST on Feb. 13. The MT DOT also reported freezing rain from Deer Lodge to Warm Springs on Interstate 90 at 8:54 am MST on Feb. 13. The MT DOT sensor located 8 miles north of Avon on Highway 141 reported snow showers that helped to bring gusty winds to 58 mph at 10:28 am MST on Feb. 11, to 50 mph at 3:12 pm MST on Feb. 10 and to 52 mph at 2:57 am MST on Feb. 13. A brief heavy snow shower brought wind gusts as high as 47 mph at the Bert Mooney Airport south of Butte between 11:30 to 12 pm MST on Feb. 11.

Winter Weather in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 13-FEB-14 06:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Glacier Park International Airport saw a period of freezing rain because of cold surface temperatures.

Winter Weather in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 12-FEB-14 11:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The MT DOT reported 2 to 4 inches of snow that fell along MT-83 during the morning of Feb. 12. The MT DOT also reported freezing rain from Clinton to just west of Drummond and also from Condon on MT-83 to the junction with S-209 at 7:47 am MST on Feb. 13.

Winter Storm in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 13-FEB-14 04:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Pike Creek SNOTEL located 1.6 miles southeast of Marias Pass reported heavy snow during the morning of Feb. 13. It recorded a total snowfall of 5 inches with 0.50 of snow water equivalent. During the afternoon and evening hours of Feb. 13, the MT DOT required chains on towing units over Marias Pass. The Fielding RAWS located 4 miles southwest of Marias Pass reported wind gusts to 48 mph during the morning of Feb. 13 which most likely caused blowing snow. A moderate avalanche cycle was reported in the JFS Canyon the day before but didn't affect US-2.

Winter Weather in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 12-FEB-14 00:00:00 to 14-FEB-14 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weather spotter in Troy reported at 8:51 am MST on Feb. 13 that there had been 4 vehicle accidents, especially on Bull Lake Road and US-2 due to very slick conditions. Rain fell on top of a frozen ground which worsened untreated road surfaces. Temperatures during the daytime were able to rise into the 40's and lower 50's but plummeted to the 20's at night helping to freeze up slush and cause slick conditions.

Winter Weather in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 11-FEB-14 23:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer located one mile west of Haugan reported 6 of snow between Feb. 11-12. The Lookout Pass ski resort reported 9 of snow that fell in 24 hours between 6 am and 6 am MST on Feb. 12, but a total of 17 between Feb. 11-14. Freezing rain was reported along I-90 and MT-200 especially during the morning hours on Feb. 12. There were a few accidents and slide offs, and the event was a moderate impact to travel.

Winter Weather in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 11-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Strong warming aloft with above normal moisture brought light snow that changed to light freezing rain across the Missoula Valley during the morning hours of Feb. 11. The Missoula International Airport ASOS reported freezing rain from 7:46 to 8:20 am MST. Several motor vehicle accidents were reported during the morning between Stevensville and Missoula. Freezing drizzle was reported again on the morning of Feb. 12 and freezing rain caused very slick secondary roads on Feb. 13 with enough impact that the Hamilton, Victor, Florence, Corvallis and Frenchtown school districts all had two hour delays.

Flood in RAVALLI, MONTANA
From 12-FEB-14 10:00:00 to 14-FEB-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: CORVALLIS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The combination of anomalous warmth with temperatures approaching 50 degrees F, rain and rapid snow-melt on frozen ground, caused lowland flooding across the Bitterroot Valley. Just before noon on Feb. 12, a National Weather Service employee reported water covering up to three-quarters of US-93 just south of Florence. They also reported ponding of water at the Florence IGA store parking lot and fire hall. More flooding was reported on Feb. 13 and the Ravalli County EM reported that home owners in Victor and Corvallis had already experienced ponding of water around their homes and water running down the streets in Victor. At least one homeowner did experience water in their basement.

Strong Wind in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 12-FEB-14 08:00:00 to 12-FEB-14 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Snowbowl Ski area had to close both chair lifts due to strong winds.

Winter Weather in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 12-FEB-14 04:00:00 to 13-FEB-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

A warm occlusion brought a transition from snow to rain during the morning hours of Feb. 12 to elevations below 7,000 feet. Strong warming aloft associated with a plume of moisture with subtropical origins most likely nixed the ability for the formation of stellar dendrites; therefore, heavy snow wasn't able to materialize in these areas as such is common with heavy up-slope westerly flow events. Nonetheless, moderate impact was experienced during the nighttime and morning hours as light to moderate snow made road surfaces slick. Both Lolo and Lost Trail Passes saw around 4 of total snowfall while total precipitation amounts ranged between 1 and 1.80 in the Bitterroot Mountains.