This was the seasons first major winter storm and arctic outbreak. An arctic front combined with abundant Pacific moisture resulted in very heavy snowfall across South Central and Southeast Montana. Snow accumulations of 8+ inches occurred for most areas along and west of a Roundup-Billings-Sheridan line. Billings received 12-17 inches, Livingston 8-12 inches and Sheridan 6-8 inches of snow. Severe driving conditions were common across the south central areas. Numerous school closures occurred on the 16th. The storm also prompted the closure of Zoo Montana on the 15th and 16th. In addition, numerous accidents occurred on local interstates and highways. The more significant impacts with this storm occurred after the snow had ended as strong winds developed across portions of the area creating blizzard conditions. For more information, please see the event titled Blizzard December 17-19.

Winter Storm in POWDER RIVER, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 10 inches was reported across the county.

Winter Storm in CARTER, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 23:00:00 to 17-DEC-16 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 7 to 10 inches was common across the southwest corner of the county.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 02:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 5 to 7 inches along with poor road conditions were reported across the area.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN BIG HORN, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 04:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 inches along with bad road conditions were reported across the area.

Winter Storm in YELLOWSTONE, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 02:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 12 to 15 inches was reported across the county. Major travel impacts were also reported.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ROSEBUD, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 05:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall around 6 inches was reported.

Winter Storm in TREASURE, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 05:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 8 inches was reported across the area.

Winter Storm in MUSSELSHELL, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 04:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 10 inches was reported across the county.

Winter Storm in LIVINGSTON AREA, MONTANA
From 14-DEC-16 22:45:00 to 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 12+ inches was reported across the area.

Winter Storm in BEARTOOTH FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 14-DEC-16 23:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 9 inches along with bad roads were reported across the area.

Winter Storm in JUDITH GAP, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 02:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several inches of snow along with blowing snow and wind chills of -20F were common across the area.

Winter Storm in RED LODGE FOOTHILLS, MONTANA
From 14-DEC-16 23:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 8 inches along with bad roads were reported across the area.

Winter Storm in GOLDEN VALLEY, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 03:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 10 inches was reported across the area.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN SWEET GRASS, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall around 24 inches along with massive travel impacts were reported across the Big Timber area.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN STILLWATER, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 01:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Road conditions were very poor across the area. Interstate 90 was closed due to a jack-knifed truck.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN WHEATLAND, MONTANA
From 15-DEC-16 01:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall around 7 inches was reported across the area.

Winter Storm in ABSAROKEE / BEARTOOTH MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
From 14-DEC-16 20:00:00 to 16-DEC-16 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Area SNOTELS received around 12 of new snow.