A rather moist, energetic and cold upper level trough, originating from the Gulf of Alaska, brought strong gusty winds and snow to western Montana. Snow levels rose ahead of the cold front allowing for rain to fall across the valleys of northwest Montana. As the rain fell early on Jan. 3, cold ground temperatures allowed for slick sidewalks and secondary roads. Snow levels crashed behind the front and periods of heavy snow were observed from the Flathead Valley to Marias Pass. As the upper level trough moved through by the afternoon of Jan. 3, heavy snow bands formed and brought slick roads and low visibility.

Winter Weather in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 02-JAN-14 23:00:00 to 03-JAN-14 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Olney reported 4 of snow with 0.39 of precipitation. Freezing rain was reported in the Libby area during the morning of Jan. 3, causing slick and slushy roads. Behind the cold front, precipitation changed to moderate and heavy snow for a period between Whitefish and Olney during the afternoon on Jan. 3. Other snow amounts: 6.0 Hand Creek SNOTEL (20 mi. SW of Olney at 5,035 ft.).

Heavy Snow in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 09:59:00 to 03-JAN-14 19:08:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Shed 4 weather sensor located 6.4 miles southwest of Marias Pass near US-2 at 4,520 ft., reported heavy snow and 1-2.6 per hour snowfall rates during the afternoon on Jan. 3. It measured a storm total of 9.0 with 0.51 snow water equivalent. Other totals include: 16 at the summit(6,817 ft.) of Whitefish Ski Resort, 9 of snow in Essex, 7.8 of snow (1.18 precipitation) West Glacier COOP and 5 snow (0.46 precipitation) Whitefish COOP.

Winter Weather in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-14 22:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Moderate to heavy snow bands brought 1 to 2 inches of snow from Clinton north to Seeley Lake. The MT DOT reported snow and ice on I-90 east of Missoula to 15 miles west of Drummond.

Heavy Snow in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 14:00:00 to 03-JAN-14 20:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Glacier Park International Airport measured 5 of heavy snow in 5 hours 35 minutes during the afternoon and evening of Jan. 3. The Flathead County 911 dispatch at 7:33 pm MST, reported that the roads were icy and 10 automobile slide-offs had occurred that evening. A weather spotter from Columbia Falls tweeted at 9:10 pm MST that the secondary roads had deep snow over ice and had not been plowed yet. Other total snow amounts: 8.4 Columbia Falls and 4 Creston COOP. There was a report of freezing rain in Columbia Falls during the morning of Jan. 3.

Winter Weather in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 07:31:00 to 03-JAN-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Pacific cold front moved through in the morning of Jan. 3. Snow showers with the front brought gusty winds to 35 mph and reduced visibility to the Missoula Valley from 7:30 to 9 am MST. A NWS employee reported that roads were very icy north of Mullan Road at 10:20 am MST. Snow bands brought less than an inch of snow to the area in the afternoon.

Winter Weather in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 07:00:00 to 04-JAN-14 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Strong gusty winds near 50 mph accompanied a cold front during the morning of Jan. 3, which caused snow and blowing snow at times at MacDonald Pass, Homestake Pass and portions of southwest Montana. The MacDonald Pass sensor reported moderate to heavy snowfall from 5:15 to 7:48 pm MST associated with snow bands in the area. The snow continued at MacDonald through much of the day on Jan. 4 and the MT DOT required towing units to use chains. Snow amounts include: 5.5 Discovery Ski Resort and 4 Georgetown Lake.

Winter Weather in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 03-JAN-14 05:00:00 to 04-JAN-14 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Both Lolo Pass on US-12 and Lost Trail pass on US-93 received around 6 of total storm snowfall.