A very impressive arctic air mass set up over the region by the end of February. A very mild and moist system brought moderate to heavy snow to northwest Montana. Places like Eureka that typically experience a rain/snow shadow from the moist westerly events were able to receive more snow because the arctic air mass was so deep. The moisture content of the weather system, as measured by weather balloons upstream, came in at 181% of normal. This system helped to erode the cold air already in place in the valleys of west-central Montana, caused very slick roads due to freezing rain which led to school closures on March 3rd. This was one of the biggest snow events for the season  across northwest Montana and caused a few avalanches in a few places but did not threaten anyone.

Heavy Snow in KOOTENAI/CABINET REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 21:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 07:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Montana DOT reported heavy snow overnight between Mar. 2-3 and estimated that 8 to 12 inches had fallen along Highway 2 south of Libby. They remarked that this was the heaviest snow event for the season. Montana DOT plow drivers in Troy estimated 12 fell there as well. Other snow amounts include: 12 Rexford 7 NNE, 8 Olney, 8.5 Yaak 9 NNE and 6.3 1 E Eureka.

Heavy Snow in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 00:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP Seeley Lake Ranger Station reported a storm total snow of 11.6 with 0.84 of precipitation. A trained spotter located one mile south of Condon estimated 11 of snow 24 hours ending at 9 am on Mar. 3.

Winter Storm in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 15:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer located 4 miles east-northeast of Corvallis reported freezing rain with a temperature of 16 F at 3:42 pm MST on Mar. 2. A weather spotter located one mile north of Florence reported 6 of snowfall at 5:30 pm MST on Mar. 2. Freezing rain caused a glaze up to a 0.10 in thickness to develop across portions of the Bitterroot Valley. Missoula, Corvallis and Hamilton public schools closed due to the icy conditions on Mar. 4. Fifteen slide-offs, 4 crashes, and 3 stranded vehicles were reported by the MT DOJ.

Heavy Snow in WEST GLACIER REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 19:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An avalanche forecaster located in Essex reported a storm total snowfall of 16 with just over an inch of snow water equivalent. The West Glacier COOP measured a storm total snowfall of 13 with 1.01 of precipitation. A person from the public located 6 miles southwest of Marias Pass reported an estimated 2 per hour snowfall rates at 9:11 pm MST on Mar. 2. Montana DOT reported severe driving conditions from Blacktail to Marias Pass for a period due to the heavy snow. Wind chills in the beginning of the event were ranging between -30 to -40 F through the US-2 corridor as temperatures were below zero with winds gusting to 30 mph out of the easterly direction. Because of the heavy snow and strong winds, an avalanche was released one mile north of Blacktail covering the BNSF train tracks. Because of the elevated avalanche threat, train service was shut down for period.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 09:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 09:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The Lookout Pass Ski resort reported 17 of heavy snow in 24 hours. Montana DOT required chains for towing units over Lookout Pass and labeled the I-90 stretch from St. Regis to Lookout Pass severe driving conditions due to heavy snow, poor visibility and icy roadways. Six snow slide-offs were reported between mile-markers 10 and 33 on I-90 by the afternoon of Mar. 3 which closed the westbound lanes from 3 to 5 pm MST. All east and westbound lanes were closed due to avalanche danger at 5:47 pm and traffic was re-routed to Hwy-200 until 4 pm MST on Mar. 4. Thirty vehicle incidents were reported by the MT DOJ in the two day period; 9 were crashes, 13 were slide-offs and 8 were stranded vehicles. Other snowfall amounts include: 18 Haugan 1 W, 10.7 Heron 2 NW, 10 Thompson Falls and 5 Alberton.

Heavy Snow in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-14 00:00:00 to 03-MAR-14 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Glacier Park International Airport reported a storm total snowfall of 10 with 0.47 of precipitation. Other snowfall totals include: 7.5 Whitefish, 7 Columbia Falls 1 NW, 6.3 Bigfork 13 S, 8 Polson Kerr Dam and 6.5 Polson. A weather spotter located in Columbia Falls reported snow-covered roads and were pretty bad during the afternoon of Mar. 2. An above normal amount of vehicle slide-offs and accidents were reported during this event from the Flathead to the Mission Valleys; 20 were crashes, 22 were slide-offs and 2 were stranded vehicles.