A strong arctic cold front caused heavy snow, blowing snow and icy road surfaces due to cold temperatures across portions of western Montana.

Winter Storm in FLATHEAD/MISSION VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 17:00:00 to 03-MAR-15 04:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The MDT section manager in the Hot Springs area reported heavy snow and gusty winds to 25 mph causing severe drifting and blowing snow. The one to two foot drifts formed continually throughout the evening especially between 830 and 1030 pm MST on highway 28 between the 10 to 19 mile-markers. Another impact was snow that melted then froze to an ice layer under the snow causing treacherous conditions. They received anywhere from 1 to 5 inches. The manager had to call in extra help from another area to mitigate the conditions.

Heavy Snow in LOWER CLARK FORK REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-15 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Moderate to heavy snow fell along Interstate 90 ahead of an arctic cold front during the evening of the 2nd. The snow melted and then turned to ice as colder air filtered south causing road conditions to become very slick. The MDT and a NWS employee reported very icy roads during the morning of the 3rd. Alberton received 4.5 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in MISSOULA / BITTERROOT VALLEYS, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-15 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Even though a few places saw a melt and re-freeze scenario with slick roads, the majority of the Missoula and Bitterroot Valleys saw low impact. Around a half-inch of snow fell in Frenchtown which froze after sunset causing roads to slicken up. A 57-year-old man was injured in an accident in which he slid and rolled off I-90 near Frenchtown. The MDT reported periods of moderate snow with gusty winds and drifting snow in the Hamilton area.

Winter Weather in BITTERROOT / SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 17:00:00 to 03-MAR-15 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

MDT reported 6 inches  of snow fell at Lost Trail Pass on US-93 while in the higher valley northeast of Sula 4 to 5 inches fell. The snow began around 5:20 pm on the 2nd at Lost Trail Pass and caused road conditions to become slick throughout the evening. Webcams revealed some blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Weather in POTOMAC / SEELEY LAKE REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 16:00:00 to 03-MAR-15 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The MDT reported snow that melted and froze causing slick areas along I-90 near Clinton to Bearmouth. Around 2 inches of snow fell in the Clinton area.

Winter Weather in BUTTE / BLACKFOOT REGION, MONTANA
From 02-MAR-15 15:00:00 to 03-MAR-15 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

MacDonald Pass on US-2 began accumulating snow with deteriorating conditions with blowing snow by 3 pm MST on the 2nd. MDT reported around 3 inches of snow at the pass while only 2 inches were reported at Discovery Ski Resort. The Butte ASOS reported light snow with strong gusty winds to 35 mph with the arctic cold front.