Circulation around a deep upper low moving across central Montana during the early morning hours of Friday, 15 April 2016, brought moisture and cooler air to the area. Snow became widespread during the morning across portions of North Central Montana during the morning with moderate to heavy rain in the warmer air across the Hi-Line. Gusty upslope winds and snowfall in excess of six inches caused areas of near blizzard conditions while rainfall exceeding two inches was also reported across portions of the Hi-Line.

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Sixteen inches of snow fell at Clancy 10SE (the Tizer Basin SNOTEL site - elevation 6880 feet). Also, twelve inches of snow fell at Basin 6N (the Rocker Peak SNOTEL site - elevation 8000 feet).

Winter Storm in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Heavy wet snow resulted in over 40 power poles being downed across the area. Power was reported out for several hours at Chester.

Winter Storm in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy wet snow was reported across the area. The heavy snow and widespread poor driving conditions resulted in the cancellation of school at Sunburst.

Winter Storm in MEAGHER, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Ten inches of snow fell at Neihart 8W (the Stringer Creek SNOTEL site - elevation 6549 feet).

Winter Storm in HILL, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Nine inches of snow fell at Rocky Boy 9SE (the Rocky Boy SNOTEL site - elevation 4700 feet).

Winter Storm in JUDITH BASIN, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Six inches of snow fell at Stanford.

Winter Storm in NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy wet snow was reported over portions of the Northern Rocky Mountain Front. The heavy snow and extremely poor driving conditions resulted in the cancellation of school at Heart Butte.

Winter Storm in EASTERN PONDERA, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Heavy wet snow caused the downing of over 40 power poles across the area. Power was reported out for several hours at Valier and Conrad. Numerous slide-off vehicle accidents were also reported, especially on I-15. Many tree limbs were also reported broken in Conrad.

Winter Storm in EASTERN TETON, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Nineteen inches of snow fell at Bynum 24W (the Mt Lockhart SNOTEL site - elevation 6400 feet). Also, sixteen inches of snow fell at Bynum 23W (the Waldron SNOTEL site - elevation 5600 feet). The heavy snow downed at least 40 power poles across the area causing power outages at Choteau, Fairfield, Dutton, and Power. School was canceled at Fairfield, Power, and Choteau. Numerous slide-off vehicle accidents were also reported.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Fifteen inches of snow fell at Lincoln 11SE (the Nevada Ridge SNOTEL site - elevation
7020 feet). Also, twelve inches fell at Augusta 20N (the Wood Creek SNOTEL site - elevation 5960 feet). The heavy snow downed over 40 power poles across the area resulting in power outages in Augusta, Wolf Creek, and Craig. The Montana Highway Patrol responded to several slide-off and jackknife calls on I-15 in the Sieben Flats area. Numerous slide-offs also occurred on U.S. 287 between Helena and Three Forks.

Winter Storm in CASCADE, MONTANA
From 15-APR-16 06:00:00 to 15-APR-16 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ten inches of snow fell at Monarch 5SSE. Also, seven inches of snow fell at Great Falls 5SW (the Great Falls ASOS site). Additionally, because of the heavy snow, 40 power poles were downed across the area resulting in power outages in Vaughn, Cascade, Ulm, Sun Prairie, Black Eagle, and Great Falls. Over a dozen slide-off vehicle crashes were reported throughout Cascade County. Two semi-tractor trailers jack-knifed on I-15 near Vaughn, blocking the northbound lanes. Many large tree limbs were also downed due to the heavy snow across Great Falls. Winds gusting to over 40 mph and visibilities less than one mile, caused near white-out conditions at times across Cascade County. The Great Falls Police Department issued a traffic alert via social media Twitter during the morning advising citizens to exercise extreme caution while driving.