A moist upper level wave brought a period of heavy snow early on Feb. 20 and as it moved through the region, very unstable conditions helped to form heavy snow bands. These snow bands lasted through Friday Feb. 21.

Winter Weather in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 20-FEB-14 00:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The COOP located 30 miles south-southeast of Libby at 3,440 ft. reported a two day snowfall total of 7.1 with 0.39 of precipitation. The Lincoln County sheriff dispatch reported slick roads with black ice on the morning of Feb. 21. During the evening of Feb 20, a motor vehicle slipped on the slick conditions on Granite Lake Road near Libby and went off a 30 foot embankment causing injuries.

Winter Weather in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 20-FEB-14 11:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The West Glacier COOP reported a storm total of 6 with 0.20 of snow water equivalent. A person from the public located 6 miles southwest of Marias Pass reported an estimated 6 of total snowfall.

Heavy Snow in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 04:25:00 to 21-FEB-14 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

At 4:25 am MST on Feb. 21, Montana DOT reported heavy snow, snow covered and icy conditions on US 93 from Arlee to Polson, on Highway 212 4 miles north of Dixon and Moise and Highway 211 junction fo US-93 at Ronan west to Hot Springs. A heavy snow band had parked itself over this area for several hours as noted on radar imagery.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 20-FEB-14 10:00:00 to 20-FEB-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A NWS employee reported that snow was falling at least 1 per hour rates during this time period from Haugan to Lookout Pass. The MT DOT reported that several semi-trucks had spun out and jack-knifed due to the snowy conditions. Interstate 90 was closed for a period of time around 3:34 pm MST. The NWS employee reported again at 4:20 pm MST that probably small cars had no chance to travel near the Lookout Pass area due to the deep snow on the sides.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 03:50:00 to 21-FEB-14 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow bands brought heavy snowfall rates between 1 to 2 per hour across portions of Sanders and Mineral Counties. Montana DOT reported heavy snow along I-90 and MT-200 at times throughout the morning hours. Mineral County dispatch reported periodic power outages due to the heavy snow in Superior and also in St. Regis. The St. Regis schools were closed due to the heavy snow and slick roads. Heavy snow brought whiteout conditions from Tarkio to Frenchtown on I-90 around 11 am MST.

Heavy Snow in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 02:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Missoula International Airport received 5 inches of snow in 5 hours from a heavy snow band that was over the Missoula Valley. A weather spotter located one mile north of Florence reported 7 of snow in 8 hours at 5:36 am MST. A weather spotter located 2 miles west of Charlos Heights estimated that 10 of snow fell in 12 hours ending at 6:36 am MST. Multiple motor vehicle slide-offs and accidents were reported from Missoula south to Hamilton due to the snow.

Winter Weather in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 01:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP located 14 miles northeast of Sula observed 6.5 of snow with 0.30 of precipitation. The COOP at Lolo Hot Springs measured 5 of snow with 0.35 of precipitation.

Heavy Snow in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 03:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Granite County dispatch reported 4 of heavy snow in Drummond 4 hours ending at 7:13 am. MT DOT required chains for towing units on MacDonald Pass on US-12 from 6:10 am to 8:27 am MST. A SNOTEL located 11 miles north-northeast of Bearmouth reported 8 of snow with 0.50 snow water equivalent. Nine slide-offs were reported from Bearmouth to Drummond throughout the day.

Heavy Snow in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 21-FEB-14 01:00:00 to 21-FEB-14 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer located one mile north of Greenough measured 11 of snow due to the heavy snow bands. The COOP located in Seeley Lake reported 9 of total snowfall with 0.50 of precipitation. A Missoula County deputy reported driving through a foot of snow on MT-200 from Seeley Lake to Missoula around 7 am MST. Very slick driving conditions were experienced in the afternoon and evening hours on I-90 from Bonner to Bearmouth with numerous accidents reported by the MT DOT.